Driver and passengers allege injury in work-zone collision

A driver and two passengers filed separate lawsuits claiming they were injured when another driver hit their vehicle in a Belleville work-zone.

Travis Diel was the driver in the struck vehicle while Tabitha Pitt and Jeremy Diel both rode along as passengers. They filed their separate complaints on March 26 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Michael Evansco of St. Clair County, alleging negligence in the November 2014 collision.

According to the complaint, the plaintiffs were traveling eastward on Illinois Route 15 between Centerville Ave. and Route 159 in Belleville on Nov. 9, 2014, when both vehicles encountered a one-land construction area marked by traffic cones. As Travis Diel's car passed through a construction zone, it was allegedly struck by Evansco's vehicle.

The suit states that Evansco had a duty to exercise ordinary care to avoid negligently causing injury to others on the roadway.

According to the complaint, Evansco followed Travis Diel's car  too closely, failed to slow, stop or otherwise control his vehicle to avoid collision and drove while intoxicated.

The plaintiffs claim injuries from being thrown and hurled within the vehicle, allegedly sustaining damage to their body and limbs. They complain of missed work hours, medical costs and lost income on account of the defendant’s alleged negligent acts.

The plaintiffs seek damages in excess of $50,000, plus attorneys’ fees and costs.

They are represented by Todd Fleming of Fleming & Ulkus in O’Fallon in their separate lawsuits.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-181, 15-L-182, 15-L-168