Motorcyclist claims severe injuries in St. Clair County suit

A woman seriously injured in a motorcycle crash recently is suing the driver who hit her for alleged negligence and carelessness.

Mallory Melvin filed the lawsuit on Dec. 4 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Christian Hechtenberger.

Melvin was a passenger on the back of a motorcycle traveling on South Campus Road on Sept. 10 when Hechtenberger allegedly made a left turn in front of the motorcycle and hit it. The crash allegedly resulted in severe and permanently disabling injuries, including in Melvin's hip, back, pelvis and body as a whole. Melvin is now unable to work as well, the lawsuit alleges.

Melvin is seeking damages in excess of $50,000.

She is represented by Bruce R. Cook of Cook, Ysura, Bartholomew, Brauer & Shevlin of Belleville.

St. Clair County case number 14-L-777.