Passenger claims driver drove through red light

A man has filed suit against the driver who he claims collided with the vehicle in which he was riding.

Michael Paschedag claims he was riding in a vehicle traveling east on Twelfth Street at its intersection with Madison Avenue in Madison on Jan. 20, 2010, when the collision occurred.

"As plaintiff reached the aforesaid intersection, the green light on the electric traffic signal located at said intersection was in plaintiff's favor permitting easterly and westerly traffic on Twelfth Street to proceed and the red light was against southerly and northerly travel on Madison Avenue," the suit filed Sept. 1 in Madison County Circuit Court states. "Defendant drove his vehicle in a southerly direction on Madison Avenue through the red light and into the intersection and collided violently with plaintiff's vehicle."

Because of the collision, Paschedag sustained injuries to his head, body and limbs and became sick, sore, lame, disordered and disabled, according to the complaint. In addition, he suffered great physical pain and mental anguish and incurred medical costs, the suit states.

Defendant Billy R. Dixon, who allegedly drove the car through the intersection, negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to keep his vehicle under proper control, failed to stop or yield the right-of-way and drove too fast, the complaint says.

In his suit, Dixon is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

William J. Mateyka of Mateyka and Associates in Granite City will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-868.