Byron
Madison County Circuit Judge Nicholas Byron will hold his final jury trial on Nov. 10.
Byron is retiring after state statute forbade him from running for retention again because of his age. Dennis Ruth will take over Byron's docket.
His final trial, a personal injury from an automobile accident is captioned Longo v. Lakin.
In that case, Lisa Longo alleges she was injured on April 27, 2005 when Kristopher Lakin collided with her at the intersection of Landmarks Drive and Broadway in the City of Alton.
Kristopher Lakin is the son of Tom Lakin, who is serving a six year sentence for various federal drug charges.
Longo alleges Lakin drove his 1999 Cadillac Escalade into the rear of her 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix after she stopped at the intersection for a red light.
At trial, Longo will testify Lakin was careless and negligent when he failed to keep a proper lookout for her vehicle, failed to keep his vehicle under proper control, failed to bring his vehicle to a complete stop before colliding with her, failed to reduce his speed and failed to apply the brakes on his vehicle or turn it to the right when he saw that she was stopping at the intersection.
Longo is represented by Ronald Motil of Glen Carbon.
She will also testify that the collision caused permanent internal and external injuries to the muscles, disks, ligaments, tissues and nerves of her neck and back all of which continue to cause her to suffer great pain and mental anguish and medical expenses.
Longo will also testify her injuries hinder her from attending to her regular duties and affairs.
She will ask the jury to award her damages in excess of $50,000 for her personal injuries and for her costs of the suit.
Lakin has denied any wrongdoing in the accident.
He is represented by the law firm of Reed, Armstrong, Gorman, Mudge & Morrissey in Edwardsville.
The trial is expected to last two days.