BELLEVILLE – A negligence lawsuit has been filed against Illini Grain Systems, alleging one of its drivers became intoxicated while on the job and caused a collision.
Plaintiff Jacob A. Johnson and Mary L. York, guardian and personal representative of plaintiff Hunter W.L. Jaycox, filed a lawsuit in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against defendants Illini Grain Systems, LLC, doing business as Holdener Farms, David Holdener, doing business as Holdener Farms, FKG Oil Company, doing business as Motomart and Christopher Brayton, citing negligence and carelessness.
According to the lawsuit, Brayton was an employee of Illini Grain Systems and was instructed to drive a truck as part of his employment. The lawsuit states that Brayton allegedly had a history of drinking on the job and had committed various traffic-related offenses.
The lawsuit states that on July 7, 2022, Brayton had been called to work at Holdener Farms and had already consumed alcohol before coming to work, a fact that was known or should have been known to his employers. The lawsuit states that Holdener was informed that day that Brayton had been drinking but was designated as the driver of the truck. After leaving Holdener farms and heading to the next work location, Brayton had allegedly stopped at a Motomart in Illinois to buy more alcohol, which he allegedly drank immediately in the presence of his supervisor. After leaving the Motomart, Brayton allegedly crashed his truck, causing severe injury to the plaintiffs, the suit states.
The plaintiffs claim they have sustained severe injuries, which have caused them to endure disability, pain, suffering, mental anguish and will impact their ability to enjoy normal daily activities and earn income in the future.
Jaycox allegedly suffered particularly severe injuries, which have cause him to become incapacitated, including fractures to his neck and head, brain bleeding and neurological injuries. The plaintiffs add that as a result of Jaycox's injuries, he has incurred significant medical costs and will continue to require medical care to recover from his injuries.
The lawsuit claims that Brayton's employers negligently ignored his history of drinking and reckless driving and allowed him to continue in his position as driver. FKG Oil Company and Motomart are included in the lawsuit because they sold him the alcohol, which immediately led up to 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 attorneys J. Michael Ponder and Gregory L. Shevlin of Cook, Bartholomew, Shevlin, Cook & Jones, LLP in Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 22LA0991