Boy hit on bike in Collinsville claims injuries in suit

The mother of a minor boy has filed suit against a woman who she says hit her son while he was riding his bicycle.

Becky Eaves says her son, Samuel D. Eaves, was riding his bicycle on the sidewalk and preparing to cross Pine Lake Road at its intersection with Vandalia and Route 159 in Collinsville on May 17, 2007.

After the walk signal appeared, Samuel D. Eaves began to cross the crosswalk with his bicycle when Tina Marie Slemer, who was driving west on Pine Lake Road, pulled out in traffic and struck him, according to the complaint filed June 5 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Because of the collision, Samuel D. Eaves was made sick, sore, lame, disordered and disabled and received injuries to his lower extremities and to the soft tissues of the cervical and lumbar area, the suit states. In addition, Samuel D. Eaves suffered disability and experienced pain and suffering, the complaint says.

Becky Eaves says she has incurred medical costs.

Slemer negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, drove in such a way that she struck Samuel D. Eaves, failed to properly apply her brakes, drove too fast, failed to yield the right-of-way and failed to exercise due care for pedestrians, according to the complaint.

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

She will be represented by Thomas C. Rich and Jennifer L. Barbieri of Fairview Heights.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-575.