Widow alleges intoxicated cab driver caused husband's death

The wife of a recently deceased man says her husband died after an allegedly intoxicated driver struck his vehicle head-on while driving on the wrong side of the road.

Jo Ann Baker filed a lawsuit Jan. 8 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Adam Wagner, Ace Cab of St. Charles, Ace Transportation of St. Charles and Mega Leasing Corporation.

According to the complaint, Brian Baker was driving his 2010 Toyota Prius south on the intersection of South Main Street and state Route 3 in Columbia on July 19, 2014, when Wagner, who was driving a 2000 Lincoln Town Car south in the northbound lanes of Route 3, struck Baker's vehicle.

Because of the collision, Brian Baker died, leaving his wife, daughter and son to lose money, benefits, goods, services and his society, according to the complaint. His surviving family members also experienced grief, sorrow and mental suffering and have been deprived of large sums of money, the suit states.

Jo Ann Baker blames Wagner for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to drive within a single lane, drove in a reckless manner, drove in the wrong direction on a one-way highway, failed to warn of his impending approach using his horn, drove too fast and failed to keep his vehicle under proper control, among other negligent acts.

At the time of the collision, Wagner was driving for defendant Ace Cab of St. Charles, the suit states.

Before the collision, Wagner had obtained alcoholic beverages from defendant Mega Leasing Corporation doing business as Pop's Nightclub and Concert Venue, the complaint says.

Jo Ann Baker seeks a judgment of more than $300,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just. Attorneys Mark C. Scoggins, Clay B. St. Clair and Anthony P. Gilbreth of Crowder and Scoggins in Columbia will represent Baker.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 15-L-5.