Diverse injuries claimed by man rear-ended by Metro

A man claims he was rear-ended by a Metro vehicle, causing the man to suffer diverse injuries.

Gary L. Chitwood filed a lawsuit Nov. 5 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Bi-State Development Agency of the Illinois-Missouri Metropolitan District and Clarence J. Retzer.

Chitwood claims he was driving on Lincoln Trail at its intersection with Voss Drive in Fairview Heights on Jan. 23, 2009, when Retzer, who was driving a vehicle for Metro, rear-ended him.

Because of the accident, Chitwood suffered pain of his body and mind, incurred medical costs, lost time from his job and lost large sums of money, according to the complaint. In addition, he has been prevented from attending to his usual duties and affairs, the suit states.

Chitwood blames Retzer for driving too fast, for failing to sound his horn, for failing to keep a proper distance between himself and Chitwood, for failing to reduce his speed, for failing to maintain a proper lookout and for following Chitwood too closely.

In the two-count suit, Chitwood is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000.

Peter M. Westhoff and Benjamin F. Westhoff of Westhoff Law Firm in St. Louis will be representing him.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-600.