Last car in funeral procession struck

A Belleville resident struck the final car in a funeral procession, according to a recently filed lawsuit.

Jeffrey B. Eldridge filed a lawsuit June 1 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Robert W. Beard.

Eldridge claims he drove in a funeral procession heading north on North Illinois Street near its intersection with A Street in Belleville on Dec. 1, 2008, at about 12:28 p.m. when the collision occurred. Beard drove west on A Street when he collided with Eldridge's passenger side, according to the complaint.

"That at said time and place, the Plaintiff had the right-of-way as he was driving the rear vehicle in the aforementioned funeral procession," the suit states.

Because of the collision, Eldridge sustained personal injuries, endured pain and suffering, lost his normal life, incurred medical costs and damage to his personal property and lost wages, the complaint says.

Eldridge blames Beard for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to maintain a proper lookout, failed to maintain proper control of his vehicle, drove too fast, failed to reduce his speed to avoid a collision and failed to yield the right-of-way to a funeral procession.

In his complaint, Eldridge seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

Mark D. Prince of Prince Law Firm in Marion will be representing him.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-273.