Truck driver accused of rear-ending vehicle on I-64

A Granite City woman wants $50,000 after allegedly being rear-ended by a man driving his work truck.

Julie B. Hughes filed a lawsuit July 28 in Madison County Circuit Court against Garda CL Southwest Inc. and Mark C Ahrens.

According to the complaint, Hughes was driving east on I-64 in East St. Louis in April 2010. As she approached the split with eastbound I-55/70, Hughes says she slowed in order to merge with other traffic. That is when she says she was hit from behind by Ahrens, driving a truck owned by Garda CL Southwest.

Hughes says she hurt her neck and back in the collision. She accuses the defendants of negligence and asks for more than $50,000 in damages for medical expenses and court fees.

Hughes is represented by attorney Eric J. Carlson of Edwardsville.

Madison County Circuit Court Case No. 11-L-739.