ST. LOUIS - A woman seriously injured in a crash involving a City of St. Louis worker two years ago was recently awarded more than $500,000 in a lawsuit, though the city is now appealing the verdict.

On July 16, a jury returned a $1.16 million verdict in favor of Tara Straussner, though the city's liability was capped around $517,000 under state statutes.

According to original court filings, on March 7, 2023, a St. Louis city employee crashed into Straussner while on duty. The employee was driving westbound on Loughborough Avenue when he ran off the roadway and struck a light pole. After that collision, the driver swerved back into traffic and crossed the westbound lanes into the eastbound lanes. The driver struck three vehicles, including one Straussner was driving.

Straussner suffered

See Full Page