Car hits Belleville man during preparations for Santa Claus parade

BELLEVILLE, Ill. – A longtime City of Belleville employee is in the hospital after being seriously injured by an SUV while preparing for the city’s annual Santa Claus parade on Friday.

Anyone who knows 64-year-old David Harris describes him as hard-working and compassionate.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Harris’ family told 5 On Your Side that he was still in critical condition.

“You don’t want this to happen to anyone. It’s definitely true when it happens to someone you know. It’s pretty shocking to hear that,” said Belleville Public Works Director Jason Poole.

Harris has been an employee of the Public Works Department for nearly 36 years. He currently works as a foreman for the Belleville Street Department.

“He was always ready to do his best. Anything asked of him he would do for the city,” Poole said.

Belleville police said officers responded to the collision around 6:52 a.m. on Nov. 29. Harris set up barricades in preparation for the Santa Claus parade.

He was walking across South Illinois Street at Washington Street, near City Hall, when a black Dodge Journey hit him.

“One of our other colleagues was with him at the time, waiting, calling 911 and waiting for police and EMS to arrive at the scene,” Poole said.

Harris is being treated at a hospital in St. Louis, officials said. The driver remained on scene and cooperated fully with the police investigation.

Poole said the entire Public Works Department was heartbroken as doctors tried to save the life of their longtime highway department employee.

“Belleville is a great big little town, as our slogan says. The road department has 15 employees, so everyone knows everyone, and it’s a difficult situation. A difficult situation for him and his family and also a difficult situation for his colleagues,” said Poole.

Public Works employees have been collecting donations to help his family with meals while Harris remains in the hospital.

“Wish him a speedy recovery and think of him. If you are a praying person, send some prayers his way because he needs all the help he can get. I’d like to see him back in his town.” “At some point it was a truck,” Poole said.

Since the incident, Poole said he has been in contact with Harris’ wife.

“They simply updated me on how he was doing and asked for prayers and thoughts. And I shared that with some of his colleagues who asked about him,” he said.

Harris’ family told 5 On Your Side it’s been very hard for them, but they’re taking it day by day.

“David Harris has been an employee of the City of Belleville Public Works Department for nearly 36 years,” said Belleville Mayor Patty Gregory. “He is a hard worker and a kind man. I will keep Dave and his family in my thoughts and prayers. We hope our community will do the same.”