BELLEVILLE — Three passengers are suing a Taylorville motorist, alleging her negligence caused a car crash that injured the plaintiffs.
Ratoya Stewart, as next friend of Cierra Cruise, a minor, and Crysta Cruise filed a lawsuit July 8 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Traci Bentley of Taylorville, alleging negligence in breaching her duty to protect others.
According to the complaint, on July 19, 2015, the plaintiffs y were passengers in an automobile traveling in a northwesterly direction on Cheney Street in Taylorville when Bentley's automobile suddenly struck their vehicle they were riding, damaging the entire front right side of the car. The suit says the crash caused the plaintiffs to sustain injuries that resulted in physical pain, medical care and expenses, physical impairment, mental anguish and loss of earnings.
The plaintiff alleges Bentley failed to keep a careful lookout, failed to swerve to avoid the collision and failed to come to a timely stop to avoid collision.
Stewart seeks a trial by jury, judgment of more than $50,000 and other relief the court deems just and proper. She is represented by attorney N. Ryan Mayfield of The Law Offices of Roderick C. White in St. Louis.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 16-L-348