In 2007, Ernie Fage was convicted of leaving the scene of an accident. (CBC)Former Nova Scotia MLA Ernie Fage is being sued for damages following a 2006 fender-bender that cost him his cabinet post.
George Myrer, driver of the car rear-ended by Fage, launched his lawsuit on Monday, just before the three-year deadline.
Myrer claims he was injured in the Halifax crash and alleges that Fage was negligent in his driving. The allegations haven't been proven in court.
Lawyer Barry Mason said his client is seeking unspecified damages, but may be open to a settlement.
"If it still can't be settled, at that point it moves on to trial, but it's still in the early stages," said Mason.
The collision happened at the intersection of Sackville and South Park streets on Nov. 24, 2006. The aftermath was captured on a cellphone camera by a passing motorist, who sold the images to CBC News and other media.
Fage resigned as minister of human resources soon after those images were broadcast.
In December 2007, more than a year after the crash, Fage was convicted of failing to remain at the scene of an accident, and fined $920.
He was promptly expelled from the Progressive Conservative caucus.
During the three-day trial, several witnesses testified that Fage was drinking in a pub before the fender-bender to mark the end of the sitting of the legislature.
Myrer told the court that the driver of the car that hit him reeked of alcohol.
Fage maintained he was not impaired and left the accident scene before police arrived because photographer David Gamble, who took the cellphone images, said he would "get" him.
Fage ran as an Independent in the June provincial election but was defeated.
With files from The Canadian Press
