Woman sues Huntington after wreck with police officer

HUNTINGTON -- A woman is suing the City of Huntington after a car accident involving a Huntington police officer.

On Aug. 1, Courtney Bohnke was a passenger in the vehicle driven by Montana Marks going westbound on 7th Avenue near the 11th Street intersection when she claims Huntington Police Officer Ronnie Lusk ran the stop sign and collided with her and Marks' vehicle, causing injury to Bohnke.

Bohke claims Lusk exited his vehicle and ran from the scene of the accident, according to a complaint filed in the Cabell Circuit Court Oct. 7.

Soon after, another police officer stopped to investigate the accident. According to the suit, while the investigation was going on Lusk reappeared at the scene of the accident and claimed he was chasing a suspect at the time of the collision, which was why he immediately left after causing the accident.

Bohnke has been without the use of her vehicle since the accident and claims Lusk's insurance company has not resolved the property damage or extended any offer to settle the property damage.

Bohnke is suing for past, present and future medical expenses; pain and suffering; emotional distress; nuisance and inconvenience; and loss of wages. She is being represented by R. Lee Booten II.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge F. Jane Hustead.

Cabell Circuit Court case number: 09-C-812