BELLEVILLE - The estate of a St. Clair County woman who died after being hit by a drunk driver is suing the motorist for wrongful death and negligence.
Belleville attorney Maxine Hoerner, as administrator of the estate of Donna Joe Weil, filed the lawsuit in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Teddy Weil. The suit was filed on behalf of the decedent's three children.
According to the complaint, Donna Weil was walking near the intersection of West St. Louis Street and South Pearl Street in Lebanon on Aug. 15, 2020, at approximately 10:52 p.m. when the defendant allegedly lunged his truck backwards and ran the plaintiff over. The suit states that Donna Weil suffered "substantial injuries and died the next day."
The suit also claims Teddy Weil became intoxicated before getting in his pickup truck.
Hoerner alleges Teddy Weil carelessly and negligently failed to exercise due care in the operation of his vehicle, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to reduce his speed or stop to avoid injuring others, failed to keep the vehicle under proper control, failed to maintain a reasonable speed and operated a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
"As a result, the next of kin of Donna Jo Weil have suffered great losses of personal and pecuniary nature, including the loss of companionship and society of the decedent, as well as grief, sorrow, and mental suffering."
The suit seeks more than $50,000 in damages.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 22-LA-0695.