Three people have filed suit against the driver of a rental car who veered into their lane after the vehicle jerked to his left when he attempted to brake.
David P. Boedecker alleges he was driving south on North Bluff Road in Collinsville on Dec. 28, 2011, at about 3:47 p.m. when defendant Joshua A. Rhodes, who was driving a 2011 Mitsubishi Gallant north on the same road, attempted to brake. When Rhodes applied the brakes, the Gallant jerked into Boedecker’s lane and hit his vehicle head-on, according to the complaint filed Dec. 10 in Madison County Circuit Court. At the time of the collision, co-plaintiffs Richard Boedecker and Beverly Boedecker were also riding in the vehicle, the suit states.
Because of the accident, the plaintiffs were hindered and prevented from attending to their usual duties, incurred medical costs and lost wages, the complaint says.
Gallant had rented the Mitsubishi from defendant Enterprise Leasing Company of St. Louis. The plaintiffs blame Enterprise for contributing to the collision, saying the company rented a car with defective brakes to Gallant, failed to properly inspect the vehicle before renting it and failed to properly maintain the vehicle.
They also name Rhodes as a defendant, saying he negligently failed to keep his vehicle under proper control, failed to reduce his speed to avoid an accident and failed to keep a proper lookout.
They seek a judgment of more than $300,000, plus costs.
Bob L. Perica of The Perica Law Firm in Wood River will be representing them.
Madison County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-2068.
Enterprise Leasing blamed for defective brakes
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