Crash on Route 158 results in St. Clair County suit

A Smithton man is accused of causing a crash on Route 158.

Mary M. Downs filed a lawsuit against Richard L. Herring on Feb. 27 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

The alleged crash happened March 1, 2011, when Downs was driving east on Illinois Route 158, the complaint says. As she stopped for traffic near the intersection with Prairie Drive, Downs claims she "was carelessly and negligently crashed into" by Herring. She says the impact caused severe and permanent injuries to her neck, back and legs.

Downs accuses Herring of negligence for allegedly driving too fast for conditions, using an improper lane of traffic and failing to properly apply his brakes to avoid a crash. She is asking the defendant to pay more than $50,000 for medical bills, loss of ordinary pursuits of life, pain and suffering.

Attorneys Justin D. Guerra and Thomas E. Schwartz represent Downs. They demand a jury trial.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 13-L-106