BELLEVILLE – A Columbia man is suing three Illinois defendants, alleging negligence after he says a tractor-trailer truck crashed into his home and caused him serious injury.
Dale Sumoski filed the lawsuit Feb. 16 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Robert Simonds of New Berlin, Lisa M. Dowson of Divernon and John Dowson Incorporated, also of Divernon, alleging negligence. Simonds was operating the truck as an employee for Dowson, the suit states.
According to the complaint, on Feb. 19, 2014, Simonds was driving the truck south on Water Street in Cahokia and failed to maintain proper control of the vehicle. The truck ultimately left the roadway, the suit says, ran across two front yards, struck two utility poles before crashing it into the house at 415 Water St., where Sumoski resided and was sleeping in bed.
The lawsuit states the collision pushed the house off its foundation, buckled floors, doors and windows, and threw the plaintiff forcibly from his bed, causing significant bodily injuries. The plaintiff alleges he also has experienced emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, past and future medical bills and loss of opportunity for employment and future earnings capacity.
Sumoski seeks more than than $50,000, pre- and post-judgment interests, courts costs, attorney fees, a jury trial and any other remedy the court deems just. He is represented by attorney Beth L. Murphy of Murphy & Pressentin in Chicago.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 16-L-90