BELLEVILLE – Maintenance lapses on Belleville’s part resulted in a fatal crash at Route 15 and a filthy flood at St. Clair Country Club, according to suits filed in St. Clair County circuit court.
In the crash case, on Aug. 10, Chance Green sued the city as administrator for the estate of late county resident Charles Green.
His counsel David Cates of Swansea wrote that an unidentified driver failed to stop at the intersection of Route 15 and 11th Street.
He wrote that Green, driving on Route 15, was forced to leave the roadway and struck the traffic signal pole at the southeast corner of the intersection.
He wrote that the traffic control devices at the intersection were inoperable and had been for an extended period.
“Due to the lack of operation of the traffic control devices, decedent was involved in a motor vehicle accident and died on Aug. 12, 2020,” Cates wrote.
He wrote that no signs or other warnings existed regarding the dangerous and malfunctioning signal.
He wrote that Green’s next of kin suffered pecuniary injuries including grief, sorrow, and loss of his love and society.
As of Sept. 9, Chief Circuit Judge Andrew Gleeson hadn’t assigned a judge and the summons hadn’t returned.
A tag on circuit clerk Kahalah Clay’s website stated, “This case does not have any appearance history.”
In the country club case, attorney Alvin Paulson of Belleville sued the city on July 30.
He also represents Kenneth Landreth and Joely Landreth, owners of property at One St. Andrews Drive.
Paulson alleges that the city failed to respond to drainage complaints in a timely fashion.
He claims that on Aug. 1, 2020, a storm water pipe that goes under Foley Drive overflowed and caused significant property damage.
He claims plaintiffs expended money for cleaning and for stabilizing erosion, and that they expended and will continue to expend money for repairs, replacements, and improvements.
He also alleges violation of state code by depositing raw sewage, garbage, and trash; violation of state code by permitting accumulation of debris that might harbor mosquitoes, flies, or other pests and violation of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act, stating it expressly prohibits overflows from sanitary sewers.
Chief Circuit Judge Andrew Gleeson assigned Circuit Judge Heinz Rudolf, who set an initial conference Oct. 25.