Woman sues St. Albans, officer after car accident

CHARLESTON -- A woman is suing a St. Albans police officer and the city of St. Albans after she was injured in a vehicle accident.

On April 9 at about 3:35 p.m., Jeanne M. Thomas entered Route 60 from 6th Street when Officer Mark A. Burdette collided with her vehicle, according to a complaint filed Nov. 12 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Thomas claims Burdette's vehicle, which was owned by the city of St. Albans, was going 58 mph in an area with a 40 mph posted speed limit. According to the suit, Burdette was not responding to a police emergency at the time of the accident.

Thomas' vehicle was knocked across the westbound lanes of MacCorkle Avenue and struck a telephone pole, according to the suit.

Thomas claims Burdette carelessly, wantonly, recklessly and negligently drove his vehicle at an excessively high rate of speed.

She claims she has suffered medical expenses; pain and suffering; lost wages; physical limitations and permanent impairment; diminished capacity to enjoy life; annoyance and inconvenience; property damage to her vehicle; and other damages associated with her injuries.

Thomas is seeking compensatory damages. She is being represented by Robert D. Cline Jr., Robert A. Campbell and Drew S. Woods of Farmer, Cline & Campbell.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge James C. Stucky.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 09-C-2118