Louis Farrakhan's Hummer

[PARAGON]

Suit against Nasir Farrakhan begins
BY JOE CARLSON

jcarlson@nwitimes.com
219.662.5339

HAMMOND | Nasir Farrakhan says he was asleep at the wheel on the Indiana Toll Road in May 2003 when the Hummer SUV he was driving twice rammed into a compact car in front of him on the road.
In federal court Monday, defense attorney Shelice Robinson-Tolbert said Farrakhan has accepted responsibility for his poor driving that day but denies causing the extensive spinal injuries suffered by one of the passengers in the car he hit.

Charles and Gladys Peterson, of Gary, are seeking a "significant" amount of money in their civil lawsuit against Farrakhan because of the chronic pain Gladys Peterson now suffers, attorney David Jensen said in opening arguments Monday.

Nasir Farrakhan, 49, of Chicago, is the son of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. The Chicago spiritual leader owns the Hummer involved in the crash but had forbade his son to drive it because his driver's license was revoked in 2001, court documents state.

The elder Farrakhan was originally named in the lawsuit but was removed for lack of jurisdiction. Late last week, the elder Farrakhan told his followers he is seriously ill and asked Nation of Islam's executive board to take on his responsibilities in the organization.

The civil trial against Nasir Farrakhan in U.S. District Court in Hammond is expected to wrap up later this week. The Petersons are seeking at least $65,000 for medical expenses plus a large, undisclosed sum in punitive damages.

Gladys Peterson, 66, has chronic headaches and leg pain from the crash, which exacerbated spinal problems she had suffered for many years, Jensen said.

"Because of the force and trauma of the accident, Gladys was set up for much more pain and suffering than she would have been," Jensen told the jury of five men and three women Monday. "She will have to live with this and receive pain treatment for the rest of her life."

Robinson-Tolbert said Gladys Peterson's doctor has records showing she had complained of the same kinds of pains before the crash that she now says were caused by Farrakhan.

The crash scenario is a familiar one: During heavy traffic on the Toll Road, a slower car in the left lane merges right to let a faster-moving vehicle by. But at the same time, the faster vehicle also merges right in an attempt to get around.

Instead of slowing down or changing lanes again, Farrakhan rammed the Peterson's Honda Accord from behind, court documents allege. When the Petersons tried to pull over, Farrakhan rammed them again before driving away, the documents contend.

"My client had apparently been very tired, and he fell asleep while driving," Robinson-Tolbert said. "He did not even know there was contact between the vehicles until he was pulled over."

Farrakhan was originally charged with driving while intoxicated, but he eventually pleaded guilty to criminal recklessness and performed 90 hours of supervised community service.

-- The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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