Driver sues over North Belt West accident

A man has filed suit against the driver who he claims attempted to turn left in front of him and struck him.

Harold Driver claims he was driving north on North 39th Street at its intersection with North Belt West in Belleville on Nov. 12, 2009, when defendant Jamie Ellis, who was driving south on the same street, attempted to turn left in front of him and caused a collision.

Because of the accident, Driver sustained severe and permanently disabling injuries to his spine and body and suffered great pain and mental anguish, according to the complaint filed April 26 in St. Clair County Circuit Court. In addition, Driver lost money because of his inability to pursue a gainful occupation and incurred medical costs, the suit states.

Ellis negligently drove too fast, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to keep the vehicle he was operating under proper control, failed to reduce his speed to avoid a collision and turned left in front of oncoming traffic, the complaint says.

Driver is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

Bruce R. Cook of Cook, Ysursa, Bartholomew, Brauer and Shevlin will be representing him.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-198.