Personal injury lawsuit in Madison County settles

A man who was accused of killing a motorcycle passenger settled a wrongful death suit for $125,000, just 17 days after the case was filed against him.

Keith Maddox settled the suit filed by Richard Ochs, as the administrator of Gwendolyn Reichert's estate, by tendering his policy limits of $100,000 and $25,000 on Dec. 14.

Madison County Circuit Judge Nicholas Byron signed off on the settlement that gives Ochs' lawyer, Marc Parker of the Lakin Law Firm in Wood River, $41,750 in attorney fees and court costs.

Ochs filed suit on Nov. 27, alleging Maddox was negligent by failing to keep a proper lookout for other vehicles, failed to keep his vehicle under proper control, pulled out in front of the motorcycle and failed to maneuver the vehicle in a way that would avoid a collision.

Maddox, of Hartford, collided with the motorcycle on Route 100 in Quarry Township in Jersey County on July 15.

Ochs had alleged he suffered damage as defined under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act.

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