MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

A female passenger alleges she suffered back, left hand and hip injuries after a driver with dementia struck the side of the vehicle in which she was riding.

Jamie Brandt filed a lawsuit Jan. 28 in Madison County Circuit Court against Thomas Kane, Dorothy Kane and Debra Laux.

According to the complaint, Brandt was riding in a vehicle Laux was driving west on West Delmar Avenue in Godfrey on Feb. 2, 2013. Thomas Kane also was driving his vehicle west on the same road and entered the center turn-only lane, according to the complaint. Suddenly, he steered into the driver's side of Laux's vehicle, the suit states.

"Immediately after the collision, Thomas Kane fled the scene of the accident at which point defendant Debra Laux followed Kane ultimately to his residence at 1708 Seminole Lane" in Godfrey," the complaint says. "Kane came to Laux's vehicle, cursed at Laux, punched the window of her vehicle and returned inside his residence."

Police were contacted and Kane was issued a citation for reckless driving,  the suit states, and he was also supposed to be re-evaluated for a license based on his alleged dementia.

In addition to her injuries, Brandt experienced pain and suffering and incurred medical costs, the suit states.

Brandt blames Thomas Kane for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to keep his vehicle under proper control, failed to reduce his speed to avoid a collision and failed to warn of an impending collision, among other negligent acts.

Brandt also names Laux as a defendant, saying she negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to keep her vehicle under proper control, failed to reduce her speed to avoid a collision, failed to warn of the impending collision, failed to stop in time to avoid a collision and failed to obey applicable Illinois traffic laws, among other negligent acts.

Dorothy Kane is named as a defendant because she lent her vehicle to Thomas Kane when she knew he was an incompetent driver, according to the complaint.

Brandt seeks a judgment of more than $150,000, plus costs. Attorney Michael P. Glisson, of Williamson, Webster, Falb and Glisson in Alton, will represent Brandt.

Madison Circuit Court case number: 15-L-105.