Chester Construction sued over auto accident

A St. Clair County man is suing after a truck allegedly collided with another vehicle, which then hit the plaintiff's vehicle.

Thomas McGowan filed suit July 24 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Ryan Rathert, Chester Construction Company Inc. and Brandon Sternau.

According to the complaint, on July 27, 2012, McGowan was driving north on Illinois 159 and Rathert was driving north on the same road near the intersection with Chateau Drive in St. Clair County. The defendant's vehicle, owned by Chester Construction, struck the rear of Sternau's vehicle, which in turn struck the plaintiff's vehicle, the suit states.

Rathert is accused of carelessly failing to stop for traffic, failing to keep his vehicle under control, failing to reduce his speed, failing to sound a warning of his approach and failing to keep a proper lookout.

McGowan is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus costs. He is represented by Granite City attorney Morgan Scroggins of Scroggins Law Office LTD.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 14-L-563.