EDWARDSVILLE – The parents of a cyclist are suing a motorist for allegedly causing a fatal crash near the Madison County Transit Schoolhouse Trail.
Plaintiffs Stephen G. Tanner and Courtney Tanner filed the lawsuit as next of kin for Stephen A. Tanner in the Madison County Circuit Court against defendant Ranesha L. Cunningham-Ford, seeking damages under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act.
According to the lawsuit, Stephen Tanner was riding his bicycle on the Madison County Transit Schoolhouse Trail on June 19, 2020. He was at an intersection where the trail meets Lakeview Acres Road when he was allegedly struck by a vehicle driven by the defendant. Stephen died as a result of his injuries from the collision.
The lawsuit states that the defendant did not brake or move out of the way to avoid the collision even though Tanner had entered the roadway at a "slow rate of speed." The lawsuit also alleges that the collision occurred within 150 feet of a "BIKE XING" warning sign and within 80 feet of rumble strips.
The defendant previously claimed that she did not see Tanner before the collision occurred. She allegedly noticed him after she heard the crash and saw him in her mirror lying on the ground.
According to the lawsuit, Tanner's parents claim Ford was distracted and likely exceeding the posted 30 mph speed limit as she approached the trail, which would be why she didn't notice Tanner until after the collision.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus court costs and any other relief the court deems proper. They are represented in this case by attorney Jeremy A. Gogel of The Gogel Law Firm in St. Louis.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 2022LA000735