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MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Alton woman claims she was left paralyzed in accident; Suit blames passenger for encouraging driver to 'fishtail'

An Alton woman is accused of encouraging the driver of the truck she was riding in to drive recklessly, allegedly causing a crash that left another passenger paralyzed.

Jake D. Bierbaum filed a lawsuit April 2 in Madison County Circuit Court against Dakota L. Foiles and Danielle M. Ellison.

According to the complaint, Bierbaum was a passenger in a Ford F250 truck being driven by Foiles in December 2012. Ellison was also a passenger in the truck, according to Bierbaum. The group was reportedly heading east on Schaefer Road in Granite City.

Bierbaum claims Ellison told Foiles to try and "fishtail" the truck on the icy road. Foiles allegedly lost control of the truck and rolled it off the roadway. Bierbaum says he was left an incomplete cervical quadriplegic because of the injuries he received in the crash.

He accuses Foiles of negligence and claims Ellison is liable for encouraging the reckless driving. Bierbaum asks for more than $50,000 in damages for medical care, loss of income and court fees.

Attorney Alexander A. Wolff of St. Louis represents Bierbaum.
Madison County Circuit Court Case No. 13-L-524

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