Providence Councilwoman Helen Anthony sues driver who struck her and put her in the hospital
Providence City Councilwoman Helen Anthony is suing the driver who struck her during a trip to California, causing 22 broken ribs and putting her in critical condition.
The Providence Journal on Thursday obtained a copy of the suit filed on Dec. 14 in Monterey County Superior Court. It names not only the 82-year-old driver as a defendant, but also the California Department of Parks and Recreation and the Point Lobos Foundation.
More: Months after being hit by vehicle, Helen Anthony returns to PVD City Council
What does the lawsuit allege?
According to the suit, on the morning of June 10, 2023, Anthony was in a crosswalk within the Point Lobos reserve when one of its employees, driving a 2013 Polaris GEM electric vehicle, struck her. The suit states she had the right-of-way when she was hit, run over and dragged "underneath the vehicle for some distance."
Because the vehicle was electric, "it made no sound as it sped towards Mrs. Anthony," the suit said. The parks department was named in the suit as the driver may also be one of its employees.
More: Providence Councilwoman Helen Anthony spent weeks recovering from serious injuries in California ICU
The suit goes on to say that the driver, according to a California Highway Patrol Report, mistook the gas for the brake when he accelerated, crashing into Anthony.
The parks department the Point Lobos Foundation declined to comment. It remains unclear whether the driver has already hired an attorney.
Anthony's attorneys are seeking damages including medical expenses, incidental expenses, loss of earnings, costs of the suit and other relief. Among the noneconomic damages Anthony seeks to be compensated for are "loss of enjoyment of life," emotional distress and anxiety.
Anthony did not comment on the suit.
The councilwoman's husband, Douglas Anthony, is also a plaintiff in the suit, and is seeking economic and noneconomic damages.
Crash took Anthony off council duty for months
Anthony was away from her work at City Council for months following the crash, returning in late October to the chamber where she addressed reporters.
In a statement, Anthony said that in addition to numerous rib fractures, the crash broke "a vertebrae in my spine, bones in my face, and my jaw in several places."
Anthony said she stayed in Natividad Hospital's intensive care unit for 18 days and then underwent surgery and rehabilitation in California.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Helen Anthony sues driver who hit her on California trip
