Construction zone accident is subject of suit

A man has filed suit against the driver who he claims struck his construction vehicle as it was parked on the side of the road.

Christopher Beard claims he was sitting in a stationary 2001 International arrow truck in the southbound lane of Interstate 255 in St. Clair County on Nov. 10, 2009, in a designated construction zone with the truck's arrows and lights illuminated. Suddenly, defendant Ludwik Willner, who was driving south on the same road for defendant KLP Transport, struck Beard's vehicle, according to the complaint filed May 13 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Because of the accident, Willner sustained injuries to his neck, back, shoulders and body and suffered great pain and mental anguish, the suit states. In addition, he incurred medical costs, has been prevented from attending to his usual employment and has been prevented from enjoying his everyday activities, the complaint says.

Beard blames Willner for causing the collision, saying he negligently failing to yield to a marked construction vehicle, failed to keep a proper lookout, drove too fast, failed to reduce his speed to avoid an accident, failed to adequately inspect his vehicle and failed to keep his vehicle in the proper lane of traffic.

In his two-count complaint, Beard is seeking a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs.

He will be represented by Gregory L. Shevlin of Cook, Ysursa, Bartholomew, Brauer and Shevlin in Belleville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-244.