I-64 ramp roll-over death leads to lawsuit

After a man died in a car accident, the driver of the vehicle faces a lawsuit accusing him of losing control of the vehicle, causing it to flip over an embankment.

Dionne Beathea filed a complaint Nov. 17 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Kevin Books.

Dionne Beathea claims Jamarrio Beathea rode as a passenger in a vehicle Books drove on the westbound Interstate 64 ramp to Illinois Route 159 in Fairview Heights on June 23 when the vehicle ran off the road, down an embankment and flipped several times.

Because of the accident, Jamarrio Beathea incurred severe injuries, which led to his death, according to the complaint.

As a result of Jamarrio Beathea's death, Dionne Beathea lost Jamarrio's support, society, love and companionship, the suit states.

Dionne Beathea blames Books for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to keep his vehicle under proper control, drove too fast, failed to stay in his lane, failed to reduce his speed to avoid a collision and failed to keep a proper lookout.

In his two-count complaint, Dionne Beathea seeks a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs.

Gregory M. Skinner of Swansea will be representing him.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-601.