Former chief judge files complaint for client hurt in head-on collision

Former St. Clair County Chief Judge Stephen Kernan filed a personal injury suit on behalf of Joann Douglas in Madison County Circuit Court for injuries she allegedly sustained in a car accident.

Douglas, of Wood River, claims Rhonda Rinck, of St. Louis, collided with the driver of the car she was a passenger in on March 14, on Interstate 55 just north of exit 44 in Macoupin County.

Douglas claims Rinck was driving in the wrong direction on I-55 and collided head-on with the vehicle she was a passenger in.

"The impact was so severe as to kill the driver of the vehicle in which the plaintiff was riding," the complaint states.

Douglas claims Rinck failed to keep her vehicle in the proper lane of travel, failed to keep a proper lookout to avoid a collision and failed to keep her car under control.

She claims she suffered severe and permanent injuries to her right hand, legs, left knee, hips, pelvis, left ankle and body as a whole which caused physical pain and suffering.

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

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Andy Matoesian.

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