September trial is set in suit over accident caused by East St. Louis police car

A September trial date has been set in a suit filed by three St. Clair County residents against the City of East St. Louis and its police department.

The three plaintiffs, Delon Scruggs, Resheda Jones and Bryson Lee, filed suit last August alleging that East St. Louis did not properly maintain one of its police cars that was later involved in an accident that caused the plaintiffs injuries.

St. Clair County Circuit Judge Lloyd Cueto signed an order March 14 in the suit setting its trial date for Sept. 26.

The plaintiffs are seeking damages in excess of $60,000 and costs.

The city denies that it was negligent.

According to the complaint, the three plaintiffs were traveling in a car driven by Jones in April 2010 when she stopped at the intersection of St. Louis Street and Ninth Avenue in East St. Louis.

East St. Louis police officer Beverly Miles was also driving through the intersection and hit the Jones' vehicle.

The plaintiffs allege that Miles did not slow her speed, did not activate her horn or sirens and that Miles did not know that her horn and sirens weren't in working order.

The plaintiffs allege that they all suffered injuries in the crash.

Kevin Sauter represents the plaintiffs.

Untress Quinn represents the defendants.

The case is St. Clair case number 10-L-434.