A mother claims her daughter was left disabled after she was allegedly struck by the City of O'Fallon police captain while the minor attempted to cross the street.
Catherine Barrows, as guardian, parent and next of friend of minor and disabled Asia Graham, filed a complaint on Sept. 18 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Reginald "Mick" Hunter and the City of O'Fallon, alleging negligence.
At approximately 8 p.m. on Sept. 19, 2014, the complaint states, Graham was a pedestrian attempting to cross North Illinois Street (Highway 159) near its intersection with Beau Gon Drive in Swansea, when Hunter allegedly struck her, injuring and disabling her.
At the time, Hunter, captain of the police department for the City of O'Fallon, was operating an undercover police vehicle owned by the city.
The complaint alleges Hunter was negligent in failing to keep a proper lookout, failing to brake to avoid striking Graham, failing to yield to a pedestrian in the roadway, and for being on inattentive and distracted on his cell phone while driving, among other negligent acts or omissions.
As a result, Graham allegedly suffered bruising all over her body, a brain injury and severe breathing problem. She has also been in intensive care since the accident, for which Barrows has incurred significant medical expenses in endeavoring to cure her daughter.
Barrows seeks a judgment in excess of $50,000 against each defendant, plus costs of the suit. She is represented by Eric M. Rhein of Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-534