County board member accuses driver of causing head-on crash in Shiloh

A St. Clair County Board member is suing the driver he says crossed over the center line and hit him head-on in Shiloh in March.

Kenneth Sharkey, who represents parts of Fairview Heights and O'Fallon, filed the lawsuit against Elaine Schuessler Oct. 7 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

The alleged crash happened March 15 on Frank Scott Parkway near the intersection of Hartman Lane in Shiloh. Sharkey says he was driving his Chrysler Sebring east on the Parkway when Schuessler, who was driving a Dodge Caravan in the opposite direction, crossed the center line and hit the Sebring head-on.

Sharkey says the crash caused him "serious, painful and permanent injuries." He contends Schuessler is responsible for those injuries because he failed to keep a proper lookout and failed to keep her Caravan under control.

Sharkey is asking for more than $75,000 in damages for permanent pain, mental anguish, disfigurement, medical expenses, the loss of earning capacity and the inability to enjoy a normal life.

Attorney Thomas Q. Keefe III is representing Sharkey.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 10-L-528