Deadly I-55 crash leads to wrongful death complaint

The estate of Georgia Shaw filed a wrongful death complaint against Joann Rye of Normal, Ill., alleging Rye's negligent driving caused Shaw's death.

According to the complaint, Shaw was a restrained front-seat passenger in Rye's vehicle on Aug. 18, 2007.

Represented by Allen Surinsky of Clayton and Russell Depew of Bloomington, Shaw's estate claims Rye was traveling south on Interstate 55 near mile post 32 in Hamel Township when she allowed her vehicle to drift to the left and into the median.

"Defendant over corrected and lost control of her vehicle such that her vehicle began to rotate clockwise, crossed both southbound lanes of Interstate 55 and left the roadway to the right," the complaint states. "The vehicle overturned and came to rest on its roof in the grass on the west side of Interstate 55."

According to the complaint, Shaw was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her estate claims Rye negligently drove at a speed which was high, dangerous and excessive, failed to maintain control of her vehicle and failed to slow, stop, swerve, sound a warning or take evasive action in order to avoid overturning the vehicle.

Shaw's estate claims Shaw left behind five children who have been deprived of her companionship and society.

Seeking damages in excess of $50,000, the estate also claims that Shaw experienced great pain and mental anguish prior to her death.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Daniel Stack.

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