Driver and two pubs sued for man's death

The mother of a man who died when he was struck by an alleged drunk driver filed a civil suit against the driver and two local taverns in St. Clair County Circuit Court June 29.

Terri Ward claims her son Richard Clark, Jr., was doing emergency repairs underneath his vehicle on Missouri Avenue when Mark Douglas struck the rear of his vehicle on Oct. 2, 2005.

According to Ward, Douglas was drinking alcoholic beverages at Tim & Joe's and Crehan's Irish Pub right before he got behind the wheel of his car.

Ward claims her son suffered pelvis fractures and abrasions, blunt head trauma, internal bleeding and abrasions to all four extremities.

Ward claims Douglas drove his car at an excessive speed, failed to reduce speed to avoid a collision, failed to maintain control of his vehicle, failed to maintain a proper lookout and drove his vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

She claims as a result of her son's death, she was obligated to pay funeral expenses in an amount that cannot be ascertained at this time.

"At the time of his death, Richard Clark, Jr., was a healthy, able-bodied man and had possession of all his faculties and assisted with the maintenance of the household and was the loving son of Terri Ward," the complaint states.

Ward claims her son's life was reduced, his work expectancy was reduced and his anticipated ability to earn a substantial income and support the household and his mother has been reduced.

Represented by Stuart Cofman of Cofman & Townsley of St. Louis, Ward is seeking a judgment in excess of $200,000, plus all costs of the suit.