EDWARDSVILLE — Another motorist is suing truck driver Mohamed Yussuf Jama following a multi-vehicle fatal collision in November 2017.
Michael McGarrity filed a complaint on Nov. 21 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Jama, et. al., alleging he failed to operate the tractor trailer in a safe and reasonable manner.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Nov. 21, 2017, he was slowing down for traffic on U.S. Interstate Highway 55 near mile post 22 near Hamel when Jama's caused a multi-vehicle collision, including the plaintiff's vehicle.
McGarrity claims he sustained severe injuries resulting in great pain and anguish, lost wages, medical expenses and total loss of his vehicle.
The plaintiff alleges Jama failed to maintain a careful lookout and failed to reduce speed or stop the truck to avoid colliding with other vehicles.
After turning himself in, Jama was charged in April with four counts of reckless homicide – a class 3 felony – and eight counts of aggravated reckless driving –a class 4 felony.
He will remain in custody at the Madison County jail in Edwardsville, where he is being held without bond.
The charges allege Jama was driving a 2016 Cascadia Freightliner tractor trailer in a construction zone near the Hamel exit on I-55 at a speed which was greater than reasonable and proper given the traffic conditions. The charges allege Jama failed to reduce speed appropriately and caused the fatal multi-vehicle collision.
Asa result, Madisen N. Bertels, Hailey J. Bertels, Tori R. Carroll and Vivian Vu were killed, and 11 other individuals were injured in the crash.
Prior wrongful death suits filed by the families of the deceased motorists and passengers suggest Jama may have been using a cell phone or another electronic device at the time of the crash.
McGarrity requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against the defendants in an amount of more than $50,000, plus costs and all further relief that the court deems just and proper. He is represented by Garrett P. Hoerner of Becker, Hoerner, Thompson & Ysursa PC in Belleville.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 18-L-1563