EDWARDSVILLE – A Missouri student is suing Ameren, alleging negligence for personal and property injuries she says she suffered when a utility pole crushed her car while she was driving to school.
Jasmine Robinson Brown filed the lawsuit Feb. 1 in Madison County Circuit Court against Ameren Illinois Company, Ameren Corporation, Ameren Services Company and Utilimap Corporation.
According to the complaint, on Feb. 20, 2014, Brown was driving from her home in St. Louis to the school she was attending in Alton during a rainstorm. While she was driving eastbound on College Avenue approaching Rock Springs Drive, the suit says, when a wooden utility pole fell onto her vehicle, crushing her inside and causing the vehicle to spin out of control. She ultimately came to a stop in a nearby creek.
The suit alleges the incident and Brown's injuries were caused by negligence on the part of the defendants, including negligent design, installation, inspection and maintenance of the utility pole, and improper use of materials in the manufacture of the pole.
Because of the negligence, the lawsuit states, the plaintiff suffered permanent and life-threatening injuries, including traumatic brain injury, nasal fracture, damage to her lumbar spine and permanent memory and speech dysfunction.
The plaintiff claims she incurred medical expenses and lost wages, expects loss of future earning capacity, fringe benefits and pension, suffered pain and mental anguish and will suffer disability and loss of enjoyment of life.
Brown seeks at least $50,000 from each defendant, together with taxable costs pre- and post-judgment interest, plus a trial by jury. She is represented by attorneys Daniel J. Cohen of the Law Offices of Daniel J. Cohen in St. Louis, and Michael E. Pierce of Pierce Skrabanek Bruera PLLC in Houston.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 16-L-134