Sydney L. Bender of Fairview Heights is apparently suing herself as well as an ambulance driver for an accident that left her infant son permanently injured two years ago.
According to a lawsuit filed Dec. 20 in St. Clair County Circuit Court, Bender was attempting a left hand turn onto North Ruby from Lincoln Trail in Fairview Heights when she was struck by an LPG Ambulance driven by Jeffrey L. Scott of Madison County.
Bender's son, Nathan J. Bender, a passenger, was one-month-old at the time of the accident on Jan. 5, 2006. He sustained a severe and permanent head injury, the suit says.
Sydney L. Bender is listed as an indvidual plaintiff and as a plaintiff acting on behalf of her son. Sydney L. Bender also is named as a defendant in the complaint.
"Defendant Sydney L. Bender negligently and carelessly caused the vehicle she was operating to strike Defendant's emergency vehicle," the complaint states.
The ambulance service, Mission Care of Illinois LLC, is blamed for its driver's "excessive rate of speed."
"Defendant Jeffrey L. Scott, while in the scope of his employment with Defendant Mission Care of Illinois, LLC f/k/a LPG Ambulance Service of Illinois, negligently and carelessly caused the emergency vehicle he was operating to strike Plaintiff's vehicle," the complaint states.
Bender seeks damages in excess of $50,000 for her son's incurred medical expenses and future care.
Bender is represented by Sheldon Weinstein of Cofman & Townsley in St. Louis. Weinstein has been contacted for comment, but at press time had not returned a phone call.
In the complaint, Bender alleges she failed to stop, slow down or swerve to avoid an accident with an emergency vehicle.
