WAUKEGAN (AP) - A suburban Chicago woman who was impaled by a tree branch during a thunderstorm last fall is suing the owner of the 65-foot tree.

Helen Miller of Lake Villa was driving through Lindenhurst on Oct. 26 when the branch crashed into her car and impaled her in the stomach.

Although the branch missed vital organs, the lawsuit claims it caused serious injuries.

The lawsuit, filed in Lake County Circuit Court, alleges Vista Health System Surgery and Treatment Center failed to properly maintain the tree. A center spokesperson cited the litigation in declining to comment.

After doctors removed the branch, Miller's husband said she wanted to hang on to it for an art project. Todd Miller recently said she stopped working on it because it is evidence.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0