Eastport Plaza accident causes man's injuries, suit says

A man has filed suit against the driver who he claims sped through a red light, causing a collision.

David B. Closen claims he was driving east on Eastport Plaza through its intersection with North Bluff in Collinsville on June 26, 2009, when defendant Karen A. Pauley ran a red traffic light and collided with Closen's vehicle.

Because of the collision, Closen was made sick, sore, lame and disordered and suffered extensive injuries to his head, neck, ribs and back, according to the complaint filed June 23 in Madison County Circuit Court. In addition, he experienced pain and suffering, incurred medical costs, suffered disability, lost his normal life, suffered from a diminished ability to enjoy life and lost wages, the suit states.

Pauley negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, drove too fast, failed to reduce her speed to avoid a collision, failed to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic, failed to obey the instructions of a traffic control device and failed to properly apply her brakes, the complaint says.

In his suit, Closen seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

He will be represented by D. Jeffrey Ezra and Sarah D. Smith of Ezra and Associates in Collinsville.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-608.