Fatal Godfrey accident is subject of suit

The mother of a recently deceased man blames a driver for causing her son's death, saying the driver traveled too fast and failed to yield the right-of-way.

Tonya Eddinger filed a lawsuit March 22 in Madison County Circuit Court against Keifer M. Stickler and Eugene Johnson.

In her complaint, Eddinger claims her son, Blake Hampton, drove south on the inside lane of traffic on Humbert Road in Godfrey on Aug. 25 when Stickler, who drove in the same direction, failed to keep a proper lookout while attempting to change lanes and struck Hampton. At the same time, Johnson, who drove north on the same road, could not stop his vehicle in time to avoid striking Blake Hampton's vehicle, according to the complaint.

Because of the collision, Hampton sustained head, neck, spine and shoulder injuries, which led to his death on Aug. 27, according to the complaint.

When he died, Blake Hampton left behind his father, Scott Hampton, his brother, Jordan Hampton, and his mother, the suit states. All three family members lost Blake Hampton's services, companionship, love, care, affection and society, the complaint says.

In her complaint, Eddinger blames Stickler for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to maintain a proper lookout, drove too fast, failed to properly apply his brakes, failed to keep his vehicle under control, failed to stop or swerve to avoid a collision and failed to yield the right-of-way.

She also blames Johnson for failing to maintain a proper lookout, for driving too fast, for failing to apply his brakes, for failing to keep his vehicle under control and for failing to stop or swerve to avoid a collision.

In her four-count complaint, Eddinger seeks a judgment of more than $200,000, plus costs.

Anthony Dos Sanios of Reilly Law Offices in Edwardsville will be representing her.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-273.