I-270 accident is subject of suit

A man has filed suit against the driver who he says rear-ended him.

Robert Thomas claims he was driving west on Interstate 270 in Chouteau Township when defendant Justin Pontious, who was driving in the same direction, struck him. At the time of the accident, Pontious was working for defendant J.F. Electric Incorporated.

According to the complaint filed Dec. 21 in St. Clair County Circuit Court, Thomas sustained severe and permanently disabling injuries to his spine, great pain and anguish and lost wages. In addition, he incurred medical costs, the suit states.

Pontious negligently failed to keep a proper lookout for other vehicles, failed to drive at a safe speed, failed to stop when it was necessary to do so and failed to keep his vehicle under proper control, the complaint says.

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

He will be represented by Bruce R. Cook and Robert Thomas of Cook, Ysursa, Bartholomew, Brauer and Shevlin in Belleville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-679.