Defendants demand jury in auto accident lawsuit; Plaintiffs seek $1.1 million

The defendants in a traffic collision lawsuit filed an answer denying the allegations against them and demanding a trial by jury.

The answer was filed on Sept. 19 through attorney Stephen C. Mudge of Reed Armstrong, Mudge & Morrissey, P.C. in Edwardsville.

According to the complaint filed Aug. 22, Nickolas Gilomen I claims he was driving on Illinois Highway 50 on March 9 when defendant Jermaine Boyd was driving at the intersection of Illinois Highway 50 and allegedly disobeyed a stop sign, striking Gilomen I’s vehicle.

Nickolas Gilomen I’s wife, Rebecca Gilomen, his son, Nickolas Gilomen II and Rebecca Gilomen’s daughter, Isabelle Knapp, were also riding in the vehicle at the time of the incident.

Boyd is blamed for negligently failing to stop at a stop sign, failing to keep his vehicle under proper control, failing to keep a proper lookout, failing to obey a traffic control device and for speeding.

FRL Contracting and its owner Gary Layton, Jr. are also named defendants. The plaintiffs claim they are liable because Boyd was working for them at the time of the collision.

The plaintiffs seek a judgment of more than $1.15 million.

Circuit Judge William Mudge was originally assigned the case but recused himself on Sept. 25 due to the Reed Armstrong Law Firm’ s entry of appearance, of which one of its partners is Mudge’s family member. Circuit Judge Barabara Crowder was reassigned to the case.

Eric Kirkpatrick of Kirkpatrick Law Offices in Belleville represents the plaintiffs.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 13-L-1412