09:45 PM CST on Friday, December 23, 2005

Associated Press

CHICAGO -- A passenger who says she was hurt when a Southwest Airlines jet slid off a runway during a snowstorm in Chicago is suing the carrier and the city.

The lawsuit filed today claims the Dallas-based airline was careless and negligent in landing at Midway Airport on December eighth.

The Boeing 737 ended up on a street, striking a car -- and leading to the death of a six-year-old boy who was in the vehicle.

The suit says passenger Bernice James of Chicago suffered "severe fear and terror, emotional distress" and physical injuries.

AP

Southwest Airlines Flight 1248 jet rests in the middle of Central Ave, after it skidded off runway on landing at Midway Airport, Chicago, Illinois.

The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages, also contends the city failed to properly inspect the runway and should have closed Midway.

Southwest Airlines spokeswoman Paula Berg declined comment.

A spokeswoman for Chicago's legal department also declined comment.

Two other passengers aboard the Baltimore-to Chicago flight earlier sued Southwest, Chicago and Boeing.