EDWARDSVILLE — A motorist is suing a transport and distribution company and its employee, citing alleged negligence.
Patrick Smith filed a complaint Oct. 11 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Scott Berndsen and Nestle Transportation Co., alleging Nestle Transportation negligently entrusted its commercial vehicle to Berndsen.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Nov. 27, 2015, he was driving his vehicle eastbound on Interstate 270 when a Nestle Transportation vehicle driven by Berndsen crashed into the rear of Smith's vehicle. Smith claims he sustained serious injuries to his head, neck, back, spine and other parts of his body, experiencing physical and mental pain and disability and incurring medical expenses.
The plaintiff holds Berndsen and Nestle Transportation responsible because Berndsen allegedly failed to maintain proper control of the commercial vehicle and failed to stop, reduce speed or take evasive actions to avoid a collision.
The plaintiff seeks damages of more than $50,000, costs expended for this suit and further relief the court deems appropriate. He is represented by James E. Hopkins and Brad L. Elkin of Brown & Crouppen PC in St. Louis.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 17-L-1415