Kent wrongful death suit set for case management

A wrongful death suit seeking at least $400,000 in damages is slated for a case management conference on June 29 with Circuit Judge Daniel Stack presiding.

In the suit filed April 5 in Madison County Circuit Court, Shannon Kent is seeking damages from defendants Betsy E. Dankenbring of Troy, Kenneth R. Mattison of Paris, Texas and Central Freight Lines of Waco, Texas.

Kent is represented by Stephen Mudge of Edwardsville.

She claims that after her vehicle crashed, the vehicle came to rest on its roof in the inside lane of northbound I-55/70 near Highway 111. Christopher Kent, her husband, was still inside.

According to the complaint, Dankenbring approached, stopped and exited her vehicle in the center lane without turning on her emergency flashers, and Mattison, who was driving a vehicle for Central Freight Lines, allegedly struck Dankenbring’s car forcing it into Kent’s already-overturned vehicle.

Kent alleges that as a result of Dankenbring's failure to park her vehicle in a safe place that would not obstruct traffic, and her failure to use emergency flashers to warn others of her stopped car, her husband suffered severe injuries to his body and head which caused severe pain and suffering, disability and ultimately his death.

She also claims injuries to her back, neck, head, legs and knees.

According to her complaint, Kent alleges she suffers great physical pain and function of the injured parts of her body. She states that her injuries are permanent and progressive, plus she will incur medical bills that will increase as time goes on for medicines, doctors, x-rays and hospitals.

Last November, Tammy Kent Delcourt of Mississippi, as special administrator to the estate of Christopher J. Kent, filed a $300,000 wrongful death lawsuit against the same three defendants.

Dankenbring is represented by Dale Bode of Walker and Williams of Belleville. Central Freight and Mattison are represented by Anthony Behr of St. Louis.