Lawsuit against Collinsville church settled

A personal injury suit against a Collinsville church has settled for an undisclosed amount.

Madison County Circuit Judge Andy Matoesian agreed to the settlement Oct. 29, and dismissed the suit with prejudice.

Russell Lloyd Lovell filed the suit against Son-Life Fellowship Church and one of its employees, alleging he was injured in a rear-end collision.

Lovell was driving north on Vandalia Street on Aug. 11, 2007, when he was struck from behind by Heather Renee McDonnal, an employee of the church who was also driving in the same direction, according to the complaint filed Sept. 22.

Lovell claimed he was made sick, sore, lame, disordered and disabled and suffered extensive injuries to his head, neck, shoulder and back as a result of the accident.

He had alleged McDonnal was negligent because she failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to apply her brakes, drove too fast and followed his vehicle more closely than she should have.

Lovell was seeking damages in excess of $100,000.

He was represented by Jeffrey A. Kopis of Kopis Law Office in Belleville.