Belleville accident is subject of suit

A man and his wife have filed suit against the driver who they say collided with the man after allegedly failing to yield at an intersection.

Jeffrey Reel and Marlaina Reel claim Jeffrey Reel was driving west on A Street in Belleville on Sept. 27, 2007, and was approaching the intersection of West A Street and North Third Street.

At the same time, defendant Patricia Larson was driving north on North Third Street near its intersection with West A Street when she drove into Jeffrey Reel's path, according to the complaint filed Sept. 8 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Because of the collision, Jeffrey Reel endured great pain and emotional suffering, has been unable to attend to his usual duties, incurred a loss of earnings and lost a normal life, the suit states. In addition, he incurred medical costs, the complaint says.

Marliana Reel claims she has been permanently deprived of her husband's love, companionship, consortium and society.

Larson negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to keep her vehicle under control, entered an intersection without first determining it was safe to do so, failed to obey an electronic traffic signal and failed to yield the right-of-way, the Reels claim.

In the two-count suit, the Reels are seeking a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs.

Eric Kirkpatrick of Kirkpatrick Law Offices in Belleville and Charles A. Pierce of Pierce Law Firm in Belleville will be representing them.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-473.