BELLEVILLE - A woman is suing the Cahokia Heights Police Department and a police officer, claiming she was injured after the car she was driving was struck by a police vehicle.
In the lawsuit filed in St. Clair County Circuit Court, Stephanie Scurlark-Belt claims she was traveling on South 50th Street on April 30 when her vehicle was hit by a police car driven by Officer Michael Baxton.
Scurlark-Belt alleges Baxton "failed to maintain a proper lookout for other vehicles then and there rightfully upon said highway and particularly for the said vehicle."
She also alleges the officer "operated his vehicle at an excessive rate of speed which was greater than was reasonable and proper having regard for the traffic then and there upon said highway and the condition of the highway."
Scurlark-Belt claims she suffered injuries to numerous muscles, ligaments, membranes and nerves. She claims blood vessels of her chest, back and body were displaced, bruised, cut, torn and injured and their functions impaired. She also alleges she suffered bruises and contusions to her head, face, body and limbs.
The plaintiff also names the City of Cahokia Heights as a defendant.
Scurlark-Belt seeks more than $50,000 in damages, plus costs. She is represented by Jason Caraway and Daniel Broombaugh of Caraway & Broombaugh PC in Belleville.
Sculark-Belt v. Baxton et al, St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 22LAO502