BELLEVILLE – The passenger in a vehicle involved in an accident is suing three drivers, alleging negligence for injuries she says she suffered.
Tarmela Nguyen of Granite City filed the lawsuit March 7 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Kirsten Marie Blakely, Minal H. Amin and Jose A. Warner Castillo, alleging negligence.
On March 10, 2014, according to the complaint, Nguyen was the front passenger in a vehicle being driven by Castillo that was merging onto Interstate Highway 64 eastbound from Interstate Highway 55 southbound in East St. Louis Township.
The suit says Castillo stopped his vehicle due to heavy traffic and construction cones set up at the entrance of the on-ramp but the car was rear-ended by Amin's vehicle, which had been rear-ended by Blakely's vehicle.
The lawsuit states these negligent acts included failing to keep a proper lookout, failing to operate the vehicle in a safe manner, failing to used every precaution to avoid a collision and failing to bring the vehicle safely to a stop.
As a result of the negligence, the suit states, the plaintiff was severely and permanently injured, has had past and will have future pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and lost wages and increased medical expenses.
Nguyen seeks from all three defendants compensatory damages of at least $50,000, prejudgment interest, attorney fees, court costs and any other relief the court deems appropriate. She is represented by attorney Michael R. Wesley of the Law Office of Michael R. Wesley LLC in Wood River.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 16-L-127