Newspaper delivery driver blamed in auto accident suit

A woman blames her various injuries on a recently deceased former newspaper delivery driver who she claims failed to remain in his lane and struck her vehicle head on.

Sandra L. Braun filed a lawsuit April 29 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Michael R. Bigham Sr., Rory A. Dillow and the owner of the Belleville News Democrat.

In her complaint, Braun alleges she drove north on Kaskaskia Road in the township of Road District No. 3 on Nov. 22, 2011, at about 6:12 a.m. when Bigham, who was driving south on the same road, crossed the center line and collided with her vehicle head on. At the time, Bigham was working in his capacity as a newspaper delivery man for Dillow, who had contracted him to deliver the Belleville News Democrat throughout St. Clair County and Monroe County, according to the complaint.

Because of the collision, Braun became sick, sore, lame and disordered; suffered injuries to her neck, shoulder, arms and body; and suffered blunt trauma, the suit states. In addition, she suffered disability and disfigurement, experienced pain and suffering, incurred medical costs and lost her earnings and her earning capacity, the complaint says.

Braun blames Bigham for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, drove too fast, failed to decrease his speed to avoid a collision, failed to drive within a single lane and failed to drive with adequate brakes.

In her three-count complaint, Braun seeks a judgment of more than $150,000, plus costs.

Jack Carey of Belleville will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-223.