Granite City pedestrian claims driver was intoxicated when backing out of driveway

A Granite City pedestrian has filed suit against an allegedly intoxicated woman who struck him as she was backing out of her driveway.

Michael Carter was walking down the sidewalk of 2400 Grand Avenue near its intersection with 24th Street when Vicki Douglas hit him with her Ford Explorer as she was backing out of a driveway on Oct. 30, according to the complaint filed Feb. 17 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Because of the collision, Carter suffered severe and permanent injuries to his head and the muscle, bones and ligaments of his nose, right hand, fingers, right arm, right shoulder, neck, back, right leg and right ankle, the suit states.

He also suffered extreme pain, lost wages, became disabled and lost his normal enjoyment of his life, he claims.

Douglas was negligent by failing to keep the vehicle under control, by failing to keep a proper lookout for Carter, by driving under the influence of alcohol, by driving with a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of people and by failing to reduce the speed of the vehicle to avoid a collision, according to the complaint.

Carter is seeking a judgment in excess of $50,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

John T. Papa of Callis, Papa, Hale, Szewczyk and Danzinger in Granite City will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-0132.