A Midlands Hospital nurse has filed a lawsuit asserting that a Papillion police officer's negligence destroyed her car and left her with more than $20,000 in medical bills, plus possible lasting injuries.
Alicia D. Johnston filed a lawsuit Monday against the City of Papillion in Sarpy County District Court.
The lawsuit seeks compensation for Johnston's past medical expenses of about $21,000, plus unspecified compensation for lost wages, future medical bills, pain and suffering, and for a new vehicle.
The force of the crash left Johnston with a fractured left hip, multiple rib fractures, a shoulder injury and a spinal fracture, according to her attorney, Joseph F. Gross Jr. The crash also damaged the Papillion police cruiser.
According to her lawsuit, Johnston, 28, missed three weeks of work after the crash as she received treatment from an orthopedic surgeon.
Papillion City Attorney Mike Schirber was not available for comment Tuesday. Gross initially filed a claim with Papillion last December, seeking to settle the case out of court for $385,000. The city decided not to respond to the claim.
The lawsuit states that on April 17, 2008, Johnston was driving her 2002 Chrysler vehicle near 84th Street and Olson Drive. At the time, Papillion Officer Jackie E. Loghry Jr. was driving a city-owned 2006 Ford Crown Victoria while on road patrol.
As the officer traveled south on 84th Street at a high rate of speed, he crashed into the driver's side of Johnston's car, injuring the woman and destroying her car, the suit said.
The officer had not activated his emergency sirens and flashing lights, the suit said.
An accident reconconstruction expert hired by Johnston's attorney determined that the Papillion officer was traveling at 61 mph in a 35 mph zone before striking Johnston's vehicle, the suit says.
Contact the writer:
444-1056, john.ferak@owh.com
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