A motorist is suing a truck driver for allegedly causing a rear-end collision during heavy rainfall.
Wayne Whalen filed the complaint Aug. 18 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois against Northern Frieght LLC and Ahmed Sankus.
According to the complaint, Whalen was driving a 2000 Buick Century westbound on Interstate 70 in the right-hand lane in Greenup TOwnship on July 21. At the same time, Sankus was driving a 2014 Freightliner Straight Truck owned by Northern Freight. Whalen claims Sankus was driving directly behind the plaintiff’s vehicle when he caused a rear-end collision. Whalen claims his vehicle spun and was “propelled” onto the shoulder of the right-hand lane.
Whalen alleges the defendant failed to reduce speed to avoid a collision, failed to maintain a lookout for other vehicles on the roadway, drove while distracted, drove while fatigued, failed to reduce speed in hazardous conditions, and failed to “discontinue operation of his vehicle due to sufficiently dangerous hazardous conditions, including heavy rain.”
As a result, Whalen claims he suffered injuries, loss of a normal life, disfigurement, lost wages, and incurred medical expenses.
Whalen seeks a judgment in his favor in excess of $75,000, plus costs. He is represented by Ivo Austin of Frederick & Haggle in Urbana, Ill.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois case number 3:20-cv-797