Driver failed sobriety test in rear-end accident, suit claims

A St. Clair County woman has filed suit against the driver who she says caused her to crash into another car after he rear-ended her while allegedly under the influence of alcohol.

Felicia A. Hill-Moore says she was driving west on Illinois Route 161 and was stopped in the left turn lane at its intersection with Royal Heights Road in Belleville on Jan. 5, 2008.

At about 8:33 p.m., Michael G. Rudnicki also was driving west and rear-ended Hill-Moore as she was stopped, causing her to strike the vehicle in front of her, according to the complaint filed Sept. 2 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Because of the accident, Hill-Moore was made sick, sore, lame, disordered and disabled, suffered severe pain and anguish in her body and mind and incurred medical costs, the suit states.

Rudnicki negligently failed a field sobriety test given to him by officers at the accident scene, failed to keep his vehicle under proper control, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to exercise a reasonable awareness of his surroundings, failed to make proper use of instrumentalities under his control to avoid a collision and failed to avoid an accident, the complaint says.

Hill-Moore is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

Stephen R. Clark of Courtney, Clark and Associates in Belleville will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-465.