New Athens accident caused severe injuries, suit says

A man has filed suit against the driver of the car in which he was riding, alleging he sustained a brain injury after the driver crossed the center lane and collided head on with another vehicle.

Shane Dayton claims he was riding in a vehicle defendant Nicholas Wilson was driving south on Illinois Route 13 near its intersection with Red Ray Mine Road in New Athens on Aug. 17 when Wilson lost control of the vehicle, causing it to cross the center line and strike an oncoming vehicle head on.

In addition to his brain injury, Dayton claims he suffered great pain and mental anguish, experienced a broken pelvis, fractured skull, broken arm and severe internal injuries, according to the complaint filed Oct. 29 in St. Clair County Circuit Court. Dayton also lost large sums of money because of his inability to pursue his normal occupation and incurred substantial medical costs, the suit states.

Dayton is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

He will be represented by Bruce R. Cook of Cook, Ysursa, Bartholomew, Brauer and Shevlin in Belleville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-584.