Breese cop sues garbage truck driver

A sanitation worker is accused of crashing his garbage truck into a Breese police officer's car, allegedly injuring the officer.

Mark Berndsen filed a lawsuit against Kenny Dale Ewing and Brisk Sanitation Inc. on Jan. 31 in Madison County Circuit Court.

According to the complaint, Berndsen was driving his patrol car on North Plum Street in Breese in November 2010. As he approached North 5th Street, a garbage truck driven by Ewing, allegedly did not stop at the intersection and crashed into the driver's side of Berndsen's patrol car.

The crash allegedly caused the cruiser to roll over. Berndsen says he hurt his head and back.

The police officer is suing Ewing and Brisk Sanitation for negligence. He is asking for more than $100,000 in damages for medical costs, lost wages and court fees.

Berndsen is represented by attorney Bruce R. Cook of Belleville.

Madison County Circuit Court Case No. 11-L-97