ATV fatality subject of St. Clair County suit

An all-terrain vehicle accident which claimed the life of Dawne R. Lehmann last year in Mascoutah has resulted in a wrongful death lawsuit.

Surviving husband Dennis F. Lehmann individually, as well as guardian of their four children, has filed a wrongful death complaint against Steven and Leslie A. Bradley of Mascoutah.

According to the complaint filed June 3 in St. Clair County Circuit Court, Leslie Bradley was operating a Suzuki Vinson Quadrunner ATV on Karch Road near Illinois Route 4 on May 5, 2007, at which time she lost control of the vehicle, causing it to flip over.

"Dawne R. Lehmann suffered serious, severe and painful personal injuuries which ultimately resulted in her death," the complaint states.

Lehmann claims Leslie Bradley was operating the ATV too fast for conditions, among other things.

"Defendant negligently and carelessly operated an all-terrain vehicle on streets, roads and highways in violation of Illinois statute," the complaint states.

Represented by William J. Niehoff of Mathis, Marifian, Richter & Grandy in Belleville, Lehmann is seeking damages "which substantially exceed the minimum jurisdictional amount."

Steven Bradley also was operating an ATV at the time. He is named as a defendant for, in part, "allowing his ATV to be operated by a person whom he knew or should have known would operate the vehicle in a careless, reckless, or incompetent manner."