BELLEVILLE — A driver and his passengers are suing another motorist for allegedly hitting their car while passing through an intersection.
Lonnie Smith, Jr., Paul Smith, Laura Perry and Patricia Burns filed a complaint on April 7 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Michael Sullivan, alleging he failed to exercise reasonable degree of care while operating his vehicle on a public roadway.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that on Sept. 20, 2015, Lonnie Smith Jr. was driving his vehicle with Paul Smith, Perry and Burns as passengers. While traveling southbound on North Illinois Street, Lonnie Smith drove through the intersection when the traffic control signal turned green, but he claims his vehicle was struck in the rear by the defendant's vehicle.
As a result, the plaintiffs claim they suffered physical injuries, lost wages and incurred medical expenses.
The plaintiffs allege Sullivan failed to keep a proper lookout, drove at an excessive rate of speed, failed to follow traffic control signals and failed to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of him.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek judgment in an excess of $50,000, together with costs, and such further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
They are represented by Lanny Darr of Darr Law Offices, Ltd. in Alton.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 17-L-186