Driver failed to stop at intersection, suit claims

A Granite City man is accused of running a stop sign and crashing into a car while he was driving in Belleville.

Kristin R. Schmittling and Bradley A. Starms filed a lawsuit Dec. 29 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Jose D. Esparza.

According to the complaint, Starms was a passenger in a car being driven by Schmittling east on West Washington Street. As the vehicle crossed the intersection of South First Street, Schmittling and Starms allege Esparza, who was driving south on South First Street, failed to stop at the stop sign and crashed into them.

Shmittling and Starms accuse Esparza of negligence and ask for more than $100,000 in damages for medical bills and court costs. Attorney Jon E. Rosenstengel, of Belleville's Bonifield & Rosenstengel law firm is representing them.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 11-L-699