Motorcyclist blames Dakota driver in Hartford accident

Two people have filed suit against the driver who they say failed to yield to traffic at a stop sign and struck a motorcyclist.

Elza Beavers, attorney in fact for Darrell C. Hart, and Christina Hart claim Darrell C. Hart was driving a 2005 Harley-Davidson south on Illinois Route 3 near its intersection with Seventh Street in Hartford on May 20, 2009, at about 3 p.m. when defendant Gregory A. Hartmann, who was driving a 1998 Dodge Dakota pickup truck east on Seventh Street, struck the Harley. Christina Hart was riding as a passenger on the motorcycle when the incident occurred.

"At said time and place, defendant drove through the stop sign directly into the path of the motorcycle being operated by Darrell C. Hart, causing a violent collision and further causing serious injury to Darrell C. Hart," the suit filed Dec. 14 in Madison County Circuit Court states.

Because of the accident, Darrell C. Hart sustained severe and permanent injuries to his head, back, arms and legs and suffered a loss of his normal life, according to the complaint.

Both Darrell C. Hart and Christina Hart incurred substantial medical bills, suffered great pain and lost large amounts of money, the complaint says.

The plaintiffs blame Hartmann for negligently failing to stop and remain stopped at a stop sign, for failing to see Darrell C. Hart's motorcycle and for failing to avoid a collision.

Also named as defendants in the lawsuit are Amy Grove, who owned the Dodge Dakota Hartmann was driving at the time of the collision, and National Maintenance and Repair, where Hartmann was working at the time of the accident.

In the eight-count suit, the plaintiffs are seeking a judgment of more than $300,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

Robert H. Gregory of the Law Office of Robert H. Gregory in East Alton will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-1350.