Truck owner sues driver over parked trailer incident

A man has filed suit against the driver who he says struck his 14-foot trailer as it was sitting on the side of the road, causing it to crash into him.

Gregory Argent claims he was standing on the passenger side of his Chevrolet three-quarter ton truck and 14-foot trailer on Feb. 29, 2008, after having parked it in a southern direction on the side of Lake Drive in Pontoon Beach when defendant Jason P. Nichols, who was driving a 2006 Ford Taurus south on the same road, struck the truck. In turn, the truck hit Argent, knocking him to the ground, according to the complaint filed Feb. 26 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Because of the incident, Argent sustained severe and permanent injuries; was hindered and prevented from attending to his usual duties and affairs; suffered great pain and anguish; incurred injury to his head, neck, right hand, right elbow, right arm, right shoulder and back; and incurred medical costs, the suit states. In addition, he sustained property damage to his truck and has been deprived of its use.

Nichols negligently drove too fast, failed to properly steer his vehicle, failed to decrease his speed to avoid a collision, drove without adequate brakes, failed to sound his horn, failed to stop in time to avoid a collision and left the road under the influence of alcohol, the complaint says.

In his two-count complaint, Nichols seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus other relief the court deems just.

Roy D. Anderson and William J. Mateyka of Mateyka and Associates in Granite City will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-210.