EDWARDSVILLE - A recently closed down bar and billiards hall faces a second lawsuit linked to a crash involving an individual it is claimed was allowed to become intoxicated on the premises.
Riverbend Billiards and Grill in Alton, which closed in August after close to three decades in business, faces a lawsuit from the passenger in a vehicle that was involved in a collision with the customer. The driver of the car filed suit a number of weeks ago.
Walter Lewis claims the bar, and its owners, Terry and Gima Strader, are liable under the state's Dram Shop Act. Bars can be held liable if an individual becomes intoxicated at a premises and then is involved in crash.
The telephone numbers linked to the bar and the owners were no longer in service when the Record attempted to make contact for a comment.
In his complaint, Lewis states that the customer was sold or given enough alcoholic drinks that he ended up intoxicated on the evening of Oct. 26 and into Oct. 27, 2018.
As a direct result of being intoxicated the individual failed to stop or slow down at the intersection of Illinois Route 43 and Route 3. His car was involved in a collision with a vehicle driven by Ronald Gilchrese.
The plaintiff claims that following the "severe and violent collision" he suffering injuries and pain, including the loss of an internal organ, loss of income and medical bills.
Lewis is seeking more than $50,000 from the bar and billiards hall, and the two named defendants.
The plaintiff is represented by attorney Kevin Boyne of Belleville.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 2019-L-1486.