Driver injured in I-55 exit ramp accident sue car owners

A man has filed suit against the driver who he claims rear-ended him while he was stopped at a stop sign.

Paul Tarpey claims he had stopped his 2004 Toyota Camry at a stop sign on the Illinois Highway 162 exit ramp off of Interstate 55 South in Troy when defendant Terry L. Massey, who was driving a 2002 Nissan Xterra directly behind Tarpey, rear-ended Tarpey.

Defendants Kevin Massey and Tiffany Massey owned the Nissan Terry L. Massey was driving at the time of the collision, according to the complaint filed Nov. 17 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Because of the collision, Tarpey sustained sprained, torn, cut and bruised muscles, ligaments, membranes, nerves, blood vessels and tissues and became sick, sore, lame and disordered, according to the complaint. In addition, he suffered great pain and anguish; suffered injuries to his head, neck, shoulders, back and right side; suffers from headaches; incurred medical costs; and suffered internal derangement of the injured members of his body, the suit states. Tarpey has been prevented from earning money and from participating in many of his usual daily activities, the complaint says.

Tarpey blames Terry L. Massey for failing to keep the vehicle under control, for failing to observe Tarpey, for failing to maintain a safe distance between his vehicle and Tarpey's and for failing to reduce his speed.

Kevin and Tiffany Massey negligently allowed an unsafe driver to operate their vehicle, according to the complaint.

In the three-count suit, Tarpey is seeking a judgment of more than $150,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

Richard G. Reed of Reed and Bruhn in Belleville will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-1238.