Route 3 collision is subject of suit

A Missouri man has filed suit against a California woman and man and a St. Louis man, alleging he was severely injured after a collision.

Jamal Martin was driving north on Illinois Route 3 at 6:27 a.m. Jan. 27, 2007, when Christopher Lee Pate, who was driving a 2007 Dodge Magnum south on Illinois Route 3, "crossed the center line of Illinois Route 3 at a high rate of speed and collided with the front of Plaintiff's vehicle," the suit filed Dec. 22 in St. Clair County Circuit Court 08-L-652.states.

Maurice and Audrey Walker, the people from California, rented the car and allowed Pate to drive it, the suit states.

Because of the accident, Martin claims he incurred medical bills for his injuries, experienced significant pain and suffering and lost wages.

In addition, his earning capacity has been impaired and he has sustained disability and disfigurement, according to the complaint.

Pate was negligent by failing to reduce his speed as necessary to avoid a collision, by driving on the left side of the center of the road when not permitted to do, by failing to maintain a proper lookout, by failing to exercise ordinary care and by operating the vehicle in an improper and careless manner, the suit states.

Maurice and Audrey Walker should have known that Pate was not competent to safely operate a vehicle on public highway because he was inexperienced, reckless and did not have a valid driver's license and that entrusting an automobile to Pate posed a risk of injury to others.

In the three-count suit, Martin is seeking a judgment in excess of $150,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

He is represented by Matthew R. Davis of Fox, Heller, Gallagher and Finley in St. Louis.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 08-L-652.