Man crossed center line, suit claims

A St. Clair County man has filed suit against a St. Clair County man, alleging he was injured in a collision after the man crossed the center line.

Christopher Verdeyen was a passenger in a vehicle traveling east on Illinois Route 161 near its intersection with Royal Heights Road on Feb. 27, 2007, at about 7:12 a.m. when the accident occurred, according to the complaint filed Feb. 24 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Demarco Birge, who was driving a 2001 Ford Explorer west on the same road crossed the center line and pulled in front of Verdeyen's 2000 Chevrolet, causing the collision, the suit states.

Because of the accident, Verdeyen claims he has lost wages, incurred medical expenses, experienced great pain and suffering and sustained permanent disability.

He also suffered property damage, lost the use of his motor vehicle and has incurred replacement vehicle rental expenses, according to the complaint.

Birge was negligent by failing to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic, by failing to obey a traffic control device, by failing to decrease his speed to avoid a collision, by failing to keep a proper lookout and by failing to keep his vehicle under control, the suit states.

Verdeyen is seeking a judgment in excess of $50,000, plus costs.

He is represented by Thomas E. Fagan of Wuestling and James in St. Louis.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-0099.