GRAND RAPIDS -
A lawsuit has been filed in Kent County Circuit Court against the city of Grand Rapids and the driver of a dump truck that struck and killed a bicyclist on May 20, 2009.
According to Attorney Matt Vicari, the suit seeks damages of more than $25,000 in the death of Gregory Siemion, 55, of Grand Rapids. Siemion was hit by a city dump truck on Bridge Street NW near Fremont Avenue. The truck was driven by Benny Branch, 61, who said after the accident that he never saw Siemion or the bike.
Vicari filed the suit on behalf of Siemion's estate representative -- his aunt, Norma Van Gessel -- against both the city and Branch. The suit alleges that Branch's "gross negligence" led to Siemion's death.
The suit says that Branch drove through a "narrow alley or driveway with limited visibility" and struck Siemion as Branch was turning onto Bridge Street. The truck then dragged Siemion nearly 90 feet before Branch stopped after telling police that he heard an unusual noise.
Siemion died of multiple injuries. No charges were filed against Branch.
The suit also says that during his 16 years of employment with the city Branch has a history of mishaps. In the lawsuit, Vicari cites 21 such incidents involving Branch and dating back to 1995.
"Branch has a long history of being involved in accidents while driving city vehicles, some including where he is the at-fault driver," Vicari said in the suit.
Vicari said the city and Branch have about a month to file responses to the lawsuit.
According to Attorney Matt Vicari, the suit seeks damages of more than $25,000 in the death of Gregory Siemion, 55, of Grand Rapids. Siemion was hit by a city dump truck on Bridge Street NW near Fremont Avenue. The truck was driven by Benny Branch, 61, who said after the accident that he never saw Siemion or the bike.
Vicari filed the suit on behalf of Siemion's estate representative -- his aunt, Norma Van Gessel -- against both the city and Branch. The suit alleges that Branch's "gross negligence" led to Siemion's death.
The suit says that Branch drove through a "narrow alley or driveway with limited visibility" and struck Siemion as Branch was turning onto Bridge Street. The truck then dragged Siemion nearly 90 feet before Branch stopped after telling police that he heard an unusual noise.
Siemion died of multiple injuries. No charges were filed against Branch.
The suit also says that during his 16 years of employment with the city Branch has a history of mishaps. In the lawsuit, Vicari cites 21 such incidents involving Branch and dating back to 1995.
"Branch has a long history of being involved in accidents while driving city vehicles, some including where he is the at-fault driver," Vicari said in the suit.
Vicari said the city and Branch have about a month to file responses to the lawsuit.
