Woman sues St. Albans after officer hit her during chase

CHARLESTON - A Kanawha County woman has filed a suit against the City of St. Albans, after she was hit by a police officer while he was pursuing another driver.

Rebecca Stewart filed the suit June 16 in Kanawha Circuit Court against the City of St. Albans.

According to the suit, Stewart was driving her 1999 Chrysler Sebring convertible on Third Street in St. Albans. At the same time, Patrolman R.M. Chapman was following a man, who he believed was under the influence of alcohol.

Chapman followed the man through an underpass, up a hill and into an area known to have a high volume of traffic and a traffic signal, the suit says. He activated his emergency lights and siren and pursued the traffic offender, the suit says.

However, Chapman collided with Stewart, hitting her with enough impact to make her cross the Taco Bell parking lot, the suit says.

Stewart claims she was injured and suffered medical expenses, a loss of ability to enjoy life and has undergone pain, suffering and mental anguish.

She also claims she suffered property damage, claiming she had only owned her car for three days and owed more on the vehicle than the amount approved for the insurance company.

Stewart seeks compensation for the damages she incurred, as well as 10 percent interest.

Attorney Kimberly E. Williams is representing Stewart. The case has been assigned to Judge Louis Bloom.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number 08-C-1176