Attempt to turn left leads to collision, suit

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

Daniel E. Korte claims he was driving north on Route 159 in Fairview Heights on Sept. 16, 2009, when defendant Kayla L. Dugger, who was driving south on the same road, attempted to turn left onto the Interstate 64 ramp. In making the turn, Dugger struck Korte's vehicle, according to the complaint filed Sept. 12 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Because of the collision, Korte became sick, sore, lame, disordered and disabled and suffered extensive injuries to his back, the suit states. In addition, he experienced pain and suffering, incurred medical costs, suffered disability and lost his earnings and his earning capacity, the complaint says.

Korte blames Dugger for causing the collision, saying she negligently failed to yield the right-of-way, failed to reduce her speed to avoid a collision, drove too fast, failed to keep a proper lookout, drove in such a manner as to strike Korte's vehicle and failed to properly apply the brakes of her vehicle.

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

He will be represented Shaun M. Lieser of Lieser Law Firm in St. Louis.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-512.