Roberto Rodriguez Jr. of Fair Lawn claims he was struck by a driver for Domino's Pizza.
FAIR LAWN - A 51-year-old man who claims he was seriously injured when a Domino's Pizza driver struck him with a car two years ago has filed a lawsuit, accusing the food chain of failing to properly train the allegedly reckless driver.
Roberto Rodriguez Jr. of Fair Lawn was a pedestrian on Nov. 6, 2014 crossing Plaza Road near the intersection with Watkins Avenue when he was hit by a car driven by Duran Miller of Tenafly, according to a lawsuit filed last month in Bergen County Superior Court.
Miller was a driver for a local Domino's Pizza franchise and had the familiar pizza sign atop the vehicle, suit states.
Rodriguez "was violently struck and thrown to the ground," the suit claims.
The suit alleges that Rodriguez suffered leg fractures, a shoulder injury and lacerations to his face and head.
Rodriguez claims in court papers he had a rod surgically implanted in his leg with a nail and screws, and suffered jagged, open wounds to his face, forehead, nose, cheeks and lower lip, all of which required medical repair.
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In addition to medical expenses, the accident affected Rodriguez's ability to work and left him unable to "pursue his normal activities," the lawsuit states.
The suit was filed against Domino's Pizza and a local franchise owner, Patalano Enterprises, Inc., along with Miller and Rebecca Miller Pringle, who allegedly owns the vehicle driven by Miller.
The driver "was not adequately trained to operate or was otherwise incapable of safely operating" the vehicle, the suit claims. The suit accuses the defendants of "carelessness and recklessness" and says the owner of the vehicle failed to investigate Miller's driving ability and driving record.
Domino's and the franchise owner "were negligent in entrusting (the driver)" to deliver food "on the streets and highways of New Jersey," the suit states.
The lawsuit states the defendants were "negligent, careless and reckless in failing to investigate that (the) vehicle and its brakes was/were properly maintained."
The suit seeks unspecified damages and a jury trial.
A spokeswoman in Domino's Pizza corporate communications office was not available for comment.
Neither Miller nor Pringle could be reached for comment. John Patalano of Patalano Enterprises did not return calls seeking comment.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.