A high-level Howard County police commander is being sued in Howard County Circuit Court by an Elkridge woman who accuses him of hitting her car from behind one morning in October 1997.

The woman, Janelle D. Storck of the 6500 block of Wesley Lane, claims that she was driving south on Route 108 on Oct. 22 and trying to turn onto Route 175. She stopped, and Maj. Mark L. Paterni struck her from behind in his county-owned 1995 Ford, the suit says.

Paterni could not be reached for comment yesterday. The lawsuit alleges that Storck suffered "severe, painful and permanent injuries to her body."

She is seeking $1 million. Her husband also joined the suit and is suing with Storck for an additional $500,000 because they "have lost the society, companionship and consortium of each other."

Pub Date: 7/29/99