EDWARDSVILLE – A widow of a man killed in a collision in Madison County is seeking damages from the manufacturer of her husband's vehicle and the police officer that struck his vehicle.
Starla Bell, individually and as administratrix of the estate of Daniel Bell, filed a complaint on June 22 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Ford Motor Co. and Lee W. Brousseau alleging wrongful death.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Jan. 25, her husband Daniel Bell was killed in a traffic collision at or near the intersection of Highway 111 and New Poag Road in Madison County. The suit states that Brousseau, a Pontoon Beach police officer, was traveling at a high rate of speed while drinking coffee and operating electronic devices and collided with Daniel Bell's vehicle. The suit states the Ford Ranger Bell was operating "exploded" at the time of the collision, resulting in his death.
The plaintiff holds Ford Motor Co. and Brousseau responsible because Ford allegedly used a fuel tank that was inadequate in construction to survive in a collision at a high rate of speed and Brousseau violated his duty to use reasonable care to avoid a collision.
The plaintiff seeks judgment against each defendant in an amount of more than $50,000, plus costs. She is represented by Thomas G. Maag of Maag Law Firm LLC in Wood River.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 18-L-831