A man has filed suit against the driver who he claims rear-ended his vehicle while he was waiting behind a stopped school bus.
Brian Ward claims he was driving his 2001 GMC Jimmy east on Frank Scott Parkway near Elizabeth Drive in Belleville on Sept. 18 at about 2:56 p.m. when he stopped behind a school bus near a railroad crossing. Suddenly, defendant Kristina Gerlach, who was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Impala east on the same road, struck the back of Ward’s GMC, according to the complaint filed Oct. 25 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.
Because of the collision, Ward suffered unspecified injuries, incurred medical costs, lost wages and has been deprived of income and suffered permanent injuries and disfigurement, the suit states. He also suffered pain and mental anguish, the complaint says.
Ward blames Gerlach for causing his injuries, saying she negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, drove too fast, failed to reduce her speed to avoid a collision, failed to stop before meeting a school bus, followed his vehicle too closely and failed to warn of her impending approach.
In his complaint, Ward is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.
He will be represented by Brian M. Wendler and Ellen R. Burford of Wendler Law in Edwardsville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-548.
Driver claims he was rear-ended while stopped behind school bus
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