North Illinois Street accident causes injuries, suit claims

A woman has filed suit against the driver who she claims rear-ended the vehicle in which she was riding.

Latoya S. Ford claims she was riding in a 2002 Ford ZX2 Latanya S. Ford was driving north when they encountered stopped traffic near the 200 block of North Illinois in Belleville on April 16, 2009.

Suddenly, defendant Tyler J. Delong, who was driving a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am in the same direction, rear-ended the vehicle, according to the complaint filed April 11 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Because of the collision, Latoya Ford was severely and permanently injured and suffered physical pain and mental anguish, the suit states. In addition, she incurred medical costs, lost wages and incurred a damaged earning capacity, the complaint says.

Latoya S. Ford blames Tyler J. Delong for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to keep his vehicle under proper control, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to stop, drove without safe brakes and drove too fast.

In addition to Tyler J. Delong, Latoya S. Ford names Paul B. Delong as a defendant. Paul Delong owned the vehicle Tyler Delong drove, but should never have allowed Tyler Delong to drive his vehicle. He failed to deny Tyler Delong access to the vehicle when he knew Tyler Delong to be an inexperienced driver, entrusted his vehicle to Tyler Delong and gave his vehicle to Tyler Delong knowing the vehicle lacked adequate brakes, an adequate steering mechanism and unsafe tires, according to the complaint.

In her three-count complaint, Latoya Ford is seeking a judgment of more than $150,000, plus costs.

Thomas B. Cannady of Cannady and AuBuchon in Belleville will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-184.