CLEARWATER — A motorist is suing the Florida highway department, alleging negligence caused a crash that injured the plaintiff.
Amber Scott filed a complaint Oct. 26 in Pinellas Circuit Court against the Florida Highway Patrol, a division of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, alleging the state agency negligently entrusted its police cruiser to a careless employee.
According to the complaint, on March 13, 2017, Scott was driving a 2016 Nissan Versa when she was involved in an auto collision with a police cruiser driven by state trooper Steven Michael James on Fourth Avenue North and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street in St. Petersburg. The suit says Scott sustained serious and permanent injuries to her head, neck, body and limbs.
The plaintiff alleges James negligently and carelessly operated, maintained or controlled the state highway patrol's police cruiser, causing it to collide with Scott's vehicle.
Scott seeks trial by jury, damages in excess of $15,000, plus costs, and interest on all liquidated, pecuniary and out-of-pocket damages. She is represented by attorney Bryan D. Caulfield of Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes PA in Ciearwater.
Pinellas Circuit Court case number 18C7021