Cell phone distracted driver, caused accident, suit claims

A woman is accused of being distracted by her cell phone and causing a crash at a Pontoon Beach intersection.

Gabriel C. Carpenter filed a lawsuit against Sharon L. Dodson on Nov. 1 in Madison County Circuit Court.

The alleged crash happened at the intersection of Illinois Route 111 and Timberlake in Pontoon Beach on May 15, according to the complaint. Carpenter says he was driving south on Route 111 and Dodson was driving east on Timberlake when their vehicles collided.

Carpenter accuses Dodson of negligence for allegedly driving distracted, failing to yield to another vehicle and failing to avoid the crash. He says the collision caused him disability, disfigurement, "great pain and mental anguish." He is asking to be awarded more than $50,000 in damages for medical expenses, lost wages and diminished future earnings.

Attorney Gregory M. Tobin, of East Alton, represents Carpenter.

Madison County Circuit Court Case No. 13-L-1841