Mother sues over deadly Route 161 accident

The mother of a deceased man has filed a suit against the estate of the alleged intoxicated driver who overturned the car she was driving, a bar and the owners of another bar where the driver allegedly purchased alcohol before the deadly accident.

Patricia F. Rettig says her son, Jon Michael Rettig, was riding in a 2005 Ford Escape Christine Ann Emig was driving east on Illinois State Route 161 on Oct. 11 at about 4:08 a.m.

As the pair approached the intersection with Machine Shop Road in Mascoutah, the Ford Escape left the road and overturned, resulting in Jon Michael Rettig's death, according to the complaint filed June 19 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Surviving Jon Michael Rettig are his mother and his siblings, Jeremy Rettig, Justin Rettig and Megan Rettig, the complaint says.

Emig failed to maintain control of the vehicle, failed to maintain a proper lookout, drove too fast, failed to slow her speed to avoid a collision, drove while intoxicated and allowed the vehicle to leave the roadway, the suit states.

Named as defendants in the suit are John Pawloski, special administrator of the estate of Emig, Buck's Town Pub, Tonya M. Byram and Ronald L. Picu.

Buck's Town Pub sold Emig the beverages which made her intoxicated, Patricia F. Rettig claims.

Prior to the accident, Emig also drank at Hawg Mama's Saloon, which is owned by Byram and Picu, according to the complaint.

In the four-count suit, Patricia F. Rettig is seeking a judgment of more than $200,000, plus costs.

She is represented by D. Brian Smith of Jelliffe, Ferrell, Doerge and Phelps in Harrisburg.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-332.