Defendant files answer, appearance in Sprague car accident suit

The defendant in a personal injury suit brought by a Belleville attorney on his own behalf and that of his wife, the St. Clair County Recorder of Deeds, has filed his answer and appearance in the 2009 suit.

Defendant Adriano Silva admitted he hit attorney Robert Sprague and his wife, Patty Sprague, in a collision last year.

However, according to his answer filed Aug. 23, the accident was allegedly due to a defect with the brakes of Silva's car.

Robert Sprague is suing Silva for more than $50,000 in damages claiming Silva ran the stop sign at the intersection of South A Street and West Main Street.

Sprague claims both he and his wife were injured in the accident.

Martin Clay of St. Louis also filed his appearance on Silva's behalf Aug. 23.

A case status conference set Sept. 2 was reset to Dec. 9 at 9:30 a.m.

St. Clair County Circuit Judge Robert LeChien presides.

Sprague represents himself and his wife.

The case is St. Clair case number 09-L-561.