Intoxicated driver blamed for Shiloh rear-end accident

A man has filed suit against the allegedly intoxicated driver who he claims rear-ended him at a red light.

Kristopher Grinston claims he was driving south on Hartman Lane near its intersection with Thouvenot Lane in Shiloh on March 15, 2011, at about 1:01 a.m. As Grinston slowed to a stop at a red light, defendant Nathan Fabillaran, who was driving a Nissan Altima in the same direction, “violently collided” with the back of Grinston’s vehicle, according to the complaint filed March 14 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

“Defendant collided his Nissan Altima into the rear of plaintiff’s vehicle with such force that plaintiff’s vehicle was propelled into the vehicle directly to his front, also stopped at the aforesaid red traffic signal,” the suit states.

Later, in court, Thouvenot pled guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol, the complaint says.

Grinston also blames him for failing to keep a proper lookout, for failing to keep his vehicle under proper control to avoid a collision, for failing to use every precaution to avoid a collision and for failing to drive at a reasonable speed.

Because of the collision, Grinston suffered pain, discomfort and mental anguish; lost his normal life; lost earnings and benefits; and incurred medical costs, according to the complaint. He has also been restricted from accessing his normal duties and incurred extensive property damages, the suit states.

In his complaint, Grinston seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

J. Phillip Steinman of Alton will be representing him.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-142.