BELLEVILLE – The estate of a deceased woman is suing a Maryville motorist and a bar that served him drinks, alleging his intoxicated state led to the motor vehicle accident that killed her.
Barry Monroe, co-special administrator of the estate of Samantha Miller, deceased, along with Joshua Miller, as the father of minors Jay Miller, Haily Miller and Brantly Miller, filed a lawsuit Dec. 11 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Steven L. Willis of Maryville and The Hangar.
According to the complaint, on Oct. 22, Samantha Miller had parked her motor vehicle on the shoulder of eastbound Interstate 55/70 near mile post 16, while, at the same time, Willis was driving a motor vehicle in the same direction along the same highway. The suit says he was negligent in that he drove faster than reasonable, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to keep his vehicle on the roadway and drove while intoxicated, causing him to leave the roadway and strike Miller's vehicle, causing the death of Miller and injuries to the plaintiff minors.
The plaintiffs are also suing The Hangar, a bar at 6100 Archview Drive, Cahokia, alleging it gave Willis drinks and, as a result, he became intoxicated.
The plaintiffs seek at least $50,000 from each defendant, plus court costs and attorney fees. They are represented by attorney Jon E. Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel in Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-699