Truck driver claims intoxicated driver rear-ended him on I 55/70

A truck driver claims he sustained injuries after an intoxicated driver rear-ended his vehicle.

Jeremiah Leonard claims he was driving a Freightliner conventional truck east through Madison County at mile post 8.5 on Interstate 55/70 on Jan. 31 when defendant Maurice Young, who was driving a 2007 BMW east on the same road, rear-ended the Freightliner.

Because of the collision, Leonard became sick, sore, lame and disordered and suffered great pain and anguish, according to the complaint filed Aug. 9 in Madison County Circuit Court. In addition, he suffered neck, back, head and shoulder injuries, incurred medical costs and was prevented from earning money, the suit states.

In his complaint, Leonard blames Young for causing the collision, saying Young negligently failed to keep his vehicle under proper control, drove too fast, failed to reduce his speed to avoid a collision and followed Leonard's vehicle too closely.

At the time of the collision, Young was under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, the complaint says.

In his suit, Leonard is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

He will be represented by Richard J. Reed of Reed and Bruhn in Belleville.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-784.