Charleston police officer sues over car crash

CHARLESTON – A Charleston police office is suing a man over a rear-end collision that she says left her with severe injuries.

Monica Ann Spriggs, of Dunbar, filed a lawsuit against Donald J. Simpson, of Charleston, in Kanawha Circuit Court on Feb. 13.
Spriggs claims she was on her way to a meeting with local vice principals on the topic of school safety on March 12, 2007. The complaint says she was traveling along the 3900 block of Seventh Avenue in Charleston in her 1991 Ford Mustang.

Simpson was following behind Spriggs in a 1995 Buick Regal when traffic ahead of them came to a stop, the complaint says. Spriggs stopped, but she claims Simpson did not and crashed into the rear of her vehicle.

"The impact of the initial collision was so forceful, it pushed (Spriggs') vehicle into the car stopped in front of it," the complaint says.

Spriggs' car was so damaged that she had to be extricated by emergency crews, according to the complaint. She struck her head and was knocked unconscious, the complaint says, and she was taken to Charleston Area Medical Center for treatment.

Spriggs claims she suffered severe injuries to her body and mind plus past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, physical limitations, diminished capacity to enjoy life, lost wages, annoyance and inconvenience.

She's seeking compensatory and punitive damages, legal fees and pre- and post-judgment interest on any award.

Lawyers Erin K. King, Robert D. Cline Jr. and Francis Curnutte III are representing Spriggs. The case has been assigned to Kanawha Circuit Judge Duke Bloom.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 09-C-279