CHARLESTON -- A Charleston woman is suing the city after she was injured in a car accident.
Steve Cooper, a Charleston police officer, was also named as a defendant in the suit.
On July 16, 2010, Cynthia Marie Ellis was operating her motor vehicle in a safe and lawful manner when Cooper negligently rear-ended her and caused her to crash into the vehicle in front of her, according to a complaint filed July 3 in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Ellis claims the vehicle Cooper was operating was a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria police cruiser owned by the City of Charleston and which he was operating in his capacity as a police officer for the City of Charleston.
The defendants caused Ellis damages to the extent that the vehicle had to be towed from the scene of the collision, according to the suit.
Ellis claims due to the defendants' negligence, she had to be transported by ambulance to Charleston Area Medical Center with a spinal immobilization device and suffered serious and permanent painful physical injuries and debilitating psychological injuries.
As a result of the defendants' negligence, Ellis has suffered a loss of enjoyment of life and a diminished earning capacity, according to the suit.
Ellis is seeking compensatory damages. She is being represented by Edward ReBrook III.
The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Paul Zakaib Jr.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 12-C-1226