A man has filed suit against the two drivers who he claims rear-ended his vehicle as he slowed for traffic.
James Funk claims he was driving a 2010 Chevrolet van west on Pontoon Road in Granite City on Sept. 23, 2010, when he stopped for traffic. Suddenly, defendant Tanya Payne, who was driving a 2010 Ford Escape behind Kerrie Kolb, lost control of her vehicle and struck the back of Kolb's vehicle, pushing her into Funk's automobile, according to the complaint filed Aug. 21 in Madison County Circuit Court.
Because of the accident, Funk became sick, sore, lame and disordered; suffered great pain and anguish; and suffered injuries to her low back and left leg, the suit states. In addition, his fingers went numb; incurred medical costs; suffered internal derangement; and has been prevented from earning money, the complaint says.
Funk blames Payne for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to keep his vehicle under proper control, failed to see other vehicles on the road, drove too fast, failed to reduce her speed to avoid a collision and failed to follow a vehicle in front of her at a safe distance.
Funk is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000 but less than $75,000, plus costs.
Richard G. Reed of Reed and Bruhn in Belleville will be representing him.
Madison County Circuit Court case number: 12-L-1326.