A man and his wife have filed suit against the driver they claim caused the man to crash while he was riding his motorcycle.
Matthew W. Mullenix and Bridget E. Mullenix filed suit March 3 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Barbara J. Bassett.
According to the complaint, Matthew was driving his 2007 Harley Davidson west on Staunton Road near its intersection with 20636 Staunton Road in Staunton on Aug. 21. Suddenly, the defendant, who was driving a 1994 Ford F-150 pickup truck, pulled out onto Staunton Road from a parking lot, according to the complaint.
“In an effort to try to avoid colliding with defendant Bassett’s vehicle, plaintiff, Matthew W. Mullenix, was required to swerve and/or take other evasive action causing him to lose control of, and crash, his motorcycle,” the suit states.
Because of the collision, Matthew suffered severe and permanent injuries to his left shoulder, left knee, left hip and hands, arms and legs, according to the complaint. He also suffered great pain, disability and mental anguish, incurred medical costs, lost wages and lost his enjoyment of life, the complaint says.
Additionally, Bridget Mullenix, who was married to Matthew Mullenix at the time of the collision, lost her husband’s services, society, companionship and sexual relations, she claims.
The plaintiffs blame Bassett for causing the collision, saying she negligently failed to yield right-of-way, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to stop or swerve to avoid a collision, failed to maintain control of the vehicle and drove without regard for the safety of others.
The plaintiffs are seeking a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just. They are being represented by Troy E. Walton of Schoen, Walton, Telken and Foster of East St. Louis.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 14-L-344.