Couple sues over husband's injuries in crash

A couple is suing the driver and owner of a vehicle that caused the husband to become injured when a vehicle struck his motorcycle in 2013.

According to a lawsuit filed on April 24 in St. Clair County Circuit Court, James P. and Joann Savoy filed a complaint against Deborah A. Belter and Aimee Wangelin.

At 10:05 a.m. on April 30, 2013, James Savoy was driving his 2005 Harley Davidson south on Cross Street, approaching Tamarack Lane in Shiloh.

At the same time, Belter was driving a 2005 Ford Escape owned by Wangelin. According to the lawsuit, she turned left and allegedly caused a collision with the motorcyle and injuring James Savoy.

The driving defendant is accused of negligence and carelessness when she failed to keep control of the vehicle; keep a proper lookout; failed to stop or swerve to avoid the other vehicle; drive at a reasonable speed; yield the right of way; and make a full stop before turning.

Wangelin is accused of entrusting her vehicle to someone not necessarily safe to drive.

As a result of the accident, James Savoy was allegedly severely and permanently injured, suffering wounds to his body and nervous system, pain and suffering, and indebtedness. In addition to her husband's three counts logged against the two defendants, Joann Savoy adds three counts for the two defendants for loss of income and consortium with her husband.

The plaintiffs seek in excess of $300,000, plus costs, which amounts to $100,000 from the driver and $200,000 from the owner of the vehicle.

The plaintiffs are represented by Jeanne L. AuBuchon of AuBuchon and Lee LLC in Belleville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-245