East St. Louis club sued under Dram Act

The mother of an East St. Louis man who was killed in a one-car accident last year is suing a night club for serving alcohol to the driver.

Gail Hill, on behalf of her son Tony L. Hill, is seeking $171,074.38 in damages under the Illinois Dram Act from Marva Rucker, owner of Club Rolex in East St. Louis. The suit claims personal injury, property damage and loss of society.

The complaint does not specify that Tony Hill was a passenger in the vehicle.

The suit was filed in St. Clair County Circuit Court Dec. 28 claiming Dexter L. Byrd was served "alcoholic liquor" on Nov. 6 and 7, 2005, at the club, located at 3803 State St. in East St. Louis.

"After becoming intoxicated, Dexter Byrd drove a 2000 Oldsmobile Alero on Robert L. Price Boulevard in Centreville, Illinois, when because of his intoxicated condition, he caused his vehicle to leave the roadway and collide with a tree," the complaint states.

Hill is represented by Mark C. Scroggins of Crowder & Scroggins in Columbia.