Marathon runner claims he was hit by car

HUNTINGTON - A Kentucky man says he was hit by a car while running in a marathon and is suing the driver as well as the marathon's organizers.

Richard Wood of Louisville filed a lawsuit Nov. 14 in Cabell Circuit Court against Anna Ray Sansom, healthyhuntington.org, Huntington YMCA, Huntington Internal Medicine Group, Road Runners Club of America and Huntington Road Runners Club.

Wood alleges that Sansom was driving a Chevrolet Cavalier on Nov. 14, 2004, when she struck him at the intersection of Adams Avenue and 11th Street.

"Defendant Anna Ray Sansom breached her duty by driving her 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier improperly such as to drive into an intersection in which a marathon was taking place," the complaint says.

It also charges the organizers with negligence for failing to provide each intersection with adequate traffic control devices and personnel "such as to protect the race participants by adequately and clearly providing notice to automobile traffic that the intersection was closed for the purpose of the marathon."

Wood says he suffered injuries to his head, back, hips and legs and seeks compensation for loss of earnings, loss of enjoyment of life, medical costs and loss of earning potential. He also seeks punitive damages.

Robert Waters of Waters Law Office in Huntington is representing Wood.

"Defendants Race Organizers breached their duties by failing to properly train its traffic control personnel such that the racing staff located at the intersection of Adams Ave. and 11th St. did not stay at their posts and maintain control of the intersection," the complaint says.

Judge John Cummings has been assigned the case.

Cabell Circuit Court case number 06-C-854