MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

A Madison County man is suing a power company and one of its employees, alleging his neck, back and spine were severely injured after the employee failed to stop at a light and rammed into the back of his vehicle.

Craig A. Dettmers filed a lawsuit June 3 in Madison County Circuit Court against Illinois Power Company, doing business as Amerenip, Amerenip and Lawrence D. Beaver.

Dettmers says he was stopped at a red light at Lakin Boulevard, waiting to make a left turn on Illinois Route 143, on June 5, 2007.
At the same time, Beaver, who was working for Illinois Power Company, failed to slow down as he approached Dettmers's stopped vehicle, according to the complaint.

That caused "the front end of Defendant's vehicle to strike and violently collide with the rear end of the vehicle being operated by Plaintiff with such terrible force so as to push the vehicle being operated by the Plaintiff into the middle of the aforesaid intersection, thereby causing the Plaintiff grievous and painful injuries," the complaint says.

Dettmers's injuries caused him pain, discomfort, mental anguish and loss of a normal life, which will more than likely continue in the future, the suit states. He says he has also incurred medical costs and has been restricted from his usual duties.

Beaver failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to keep the vehicle under control, failed to drive at a safe speed and failed to reduce his speed, according to the complaint.

Amerenip is liable for the collision because Beaver was its employee at the time.

In the three-count complaint, Dettmers is seeking a judgment of more than $150,000, plus costs.

S. Russell Meyer, Amy M. Meyer and J. Phillip Steinman of Meyer Law Firm in Alton will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-609.