Wood River crash causes injuries, suit claims

A man has filed suit against the driver who he claims drove the wrong way in his lane, causing a head-on collision.

David German alleges he was driving north on Wesley Drive in Wood River on Aug. 22 when he encountered Dorothy Sheppard, who was driving south in the northbound lane.

"That plaintiff stopped his vehicle before defendant's vehicle impacted his vehicle but had no time to take any other action to avoid the impact," the suit filed Sept. 16 in Madison County Circuit Court states.

Subsequently, Sheppard collided with the front end of German's car, causing German to sustain injuries and to incur medical costs, according to the complaint. In addition, he experienced pain and suffering, lost wages and incurred medical costs, the suit states.

Sheppard negligently failed to stop or swerve to avoid a collision, failed to keep a proper lookout, drove too fast, improperly used the state highway, failed to yield the right-of-way and improperly drove in the northbound lane, the complaint says.

In his two-count complaint, German is seeking a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

He will be represented by Sharon L. Murphy of The Law Offices of Shari L. Murphy in Wood River.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-938.