Jeep Cherokee driver claims he was rear-ended on Route 159

A driver allegedly hit from behind on a Maryville road is suing the man he claims caused the crash.

Daniel W. Rayburn filed the lawsuit Feb. 29 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Richard D. Bequette.

Rayburn says he was driving his 2001 Jeep Cherokee south on State Route 159 in Maryville on March 4, 2010. As Rayburn neared the intersection of South Center Street, he says Bequette drove his 2008 GM 1500 pick-up truck into the back of the Cherokee.

Rayburn accuses Bequette of negligently and carelessly failing to stop or swerve in time to avoid the rear-end crash, driving too fast and failing to keep his truck under proper control.

Rayburn says the collision caused him "serious, severe and permanent injuries to numerous parts of his body and nervous system." He is asking to be awarded more than $50,000 in damages to compensate for medical costs, mental anguish, pain and suffering.

Attorney Thomas B. Cannady of Belleville is representing Rayburn. They demand a jury trial.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 12-L-112