William L. Whitten claims inadequate electrical wiring in his 2000 Ford Ranger caused his vehicle to catch fire after it was struck by another vehicle, according to a lawsuit filed Sept. 6 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.
Seeking in excess of $150,000 in damages from Ford, Brockland Pontiac-GMC in Cahokia and driver Maclaine M. Moeller, Whitten alleges he suffered burn injuries to his left hand and forearm when the collision occurred Dec. 1, 2005, on Illinois Route 177 in St. Clair County.
He claims his Ford Ranger, which was purchased from Brockland used on Oct. 11, 2004, was defective and unreasonably dangerous in one, or more, of the following ways:
Whitten claims Moeller, with whom he had the accident, is negligent for failing to maintain a proper lookout, failing to reduce speed to avoid a collision, driving too fast for conditions and failing to maintain control of his vehicle.
Whitten alleges he has lost income, endured pain and suffering, suffered disability, disfigurement, loss of a normal life and has incurred medical expenses.
He is represented by Edward J. Szewczyk of Callis, Papa, Hale, Szewczyk & Danzinger of Granite City.