Driver collides with vehicle during left hand turn, suit claims

A man has filed suit against the driver who he claims attempted to make a left-hand turn, but collided with his vehicle instead.

Clarence E. Engle claims he was driving north on North Illinois Street near its intersection with West F Street in Belleville on July 10 when defendant Joseph G. Bauer, who was driving at the same intersection, attempted to make a left turn onto North Illinois Street. However, Bauer drove into Engle's lane of traffic and struck his vehicle, according to the complaint filed in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Because of the collision, Engle suffered severe and disabling injuries and experienced great pain and mental anguish, the suit states. In addition, he sustained injuries to his right leg, neck and back; lost large sums of money because of his inability to pursue his normal occupation; and incurred substantial medical costs, the complaint says.

Engle blames Bauer for causing the collision, saying Bauer negligently failed to keep his vehicle in the correct lane, failed to yield the right-of-way, failed to keep a proper lookout and failed to keep his vehicle under proper control.

In his complaint, Engle seeks a judgment of more than $5,000 but no more than $50,000, plus costs.

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

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-198.