CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A woman is suing Charleston Police Chief of Detectives Steve Cooper for allegedly losing control of his cruiser and causing a car accident on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Cynthia Ellis is suing Cooper and the city of Charleston for negligence after she sustained serious injuries in the accident, which she says cost her a promotion, according to a lawsuit filed earlier this month in Kanawha County Circuit Court.

On July 16, 2010, she was stopped behind a line of cars on Pennsylvania Avenue when Cooper, driving a cruiser, rammed the back of Ellis' car, causing her car to pinball into the vehicle in front of her, the lawsuit states.

The crash totaled Ellis' car, and she was hospitalized, according to the lawsuit. Ellis is suing Cooper individually and in his role as a police officer.