'American Idol' Star Justin Guarini Sued
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2003 9:02 am
EASTON, Pa. - "American Idol" runner-up Justin Guarini has been sued by a couple who says he rammed into the back of their car on a Pennsylvania road.
The lawsuit filed Friday in Northampton County Court contends that Guarini, 25, drove his truck into the rear of a car occupied by Bethlehem residents Louis A. and Adrienne Maiatico.
The lawsuit alleges that Guarini, of Doylestown, Bucks County, was looking at papers and took his eyes off the road when the vehicles collided on March 12, 2002. The Maiaticos were stopped at a red light and Guarini was driving too fast, the lawsuit states.
Bethlehem police cited Guarini for following too closely to the couple's car. He filed papers to appeal the ticket but decided it wasn't worth leaving Los Angeles to appear in court on Sept. 16, 2002, so he paid the $25 fine and $75 in court costs, his attorney Douglas C. Roger Jr. said.
The suit contends that Louis Maiatico suffered injuries to his back, neck and side. The Maiaticos are seeking more than $100,000 in the two-count suit filed by Easton attorney Michael A. Snover.
Guarini made it to the final round of the first season of the Fox talent show but lost to Kelly Clarkson (news) of Dallas, Texas. Guarini was voted off the show on Sept. 4, 2002.
After appearing on television, Guarini released a self-titled album, went on a seven-week tour and starred opposite Clarkson in the feature film "From Justin: To Kelly."
The lawsuit filed Friday in Northampton County Court contends that Guarini, 25, drove his truck into the rear of a car occupied by Bethlehem residents Louis A. and Adrienne Maiatico.
The lawsuit alleges that Guarini, of Doylestown, Bucks County, was looking at papers and took his eyes off the road when the vehicles collided on March 12, 2002. The Maiaticos were stopped at a red light and Guarini was driving too fast, the lawsuit states.
Bethlehem police cited Guarini for following too closely to the couple's car. He filed papers to appeal the ticket but decided it wasn't worth leaving Los Angeles to appear in court on Sept. 16, 2002, so he paid the $25 fine and $75 in court costs, his attorney Douglas C. Roger Jr. said.
The suit contends that Louis Maiatico suffered injuries to his back, neck and side. The Maiaticos are seeking more than $100,000 in the two-count suit filed by Easton attorney Michael A. Snover.
Guarini made it to the final round of the first season of the Fox talent show but lost to Kelly Clarkson (news) of Dallas, Texas. Guarini was voted off the show on Sept. 4, 2002.
After appearing on television, Guarini released a self-titled album, went on a seven-week tour and starred opposite Clarkson in the feature film "From Justin: To Kelly."
