North Illinois Street accident is subject of suit

A man who says he was seriously injured by another driver in a Fairview Heights crash is taking her to court.

Clarence Engle accuses Jennie Lee of crashing into him on Sept. 4 in Fairview Heights. Engle accuses Lee of negligence in a lawsuit filed Oct. 7 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

According to the complaint, Lee was stopped in the center turn lane of North Illinois Street waiting to turn into the driveway of a Fairview Heights restaurant. Engle says he was also driving on North Illinois. He says Lee turned directly in front of him, causing the two vehicles to collide.

Engle says he suffered "severe and permanently-disabling injuries" to his shoulder, arms, back, legs and entire body as a result of the crash.

He contends Lee was negligent for failing to drive at a reasonable speed, failing to keep a proper lookout, failing to slow down to avoid a crash and for turning in front of oncoming traffic.

Engle is asking to be paid more than $50,000 in damages for pain and mental anguish, lost wages and earning potential, medical expenses and court costs.

Attorney Bruce R. Cook, of Belleville, is representing Engle.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 10-L-529