Suit alleges truck overturned, caused collision due to overweight load, speeding

A truck driver is accused of driving with an overweight load and speeding, allegedly causing the truck to overturn and cause a collision.

Michael Schroeder filed a complaint Nov. 18 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Bonanza Gold Trucking Inc., and John Patton, alleging negligence.

Schroeder states in his complaint that he was driving a truck and hauling a trailer on Southbound I-55 on Dec. 17, 2018, around 11:10 a.m. He alleges that Patton, who was driving a freightliner truck owned by Bonanza and hauling a trailer, merged from IL-157 onto I-55. Schroeder alleges that Patton “lost control and overturned his truck and trailer onto the driver side” and slid down the interstate about 750 feet before coming to a stop and struck his windshield.

Schroeder claims Patton was “driving too fast,” which caused him to lose control of the tractor trailer. He also claims he suffered “serious, severe and permanent” injuries on his head, neck, shoulders, hip and back as a result of the collision. Schroeder further claims that Patton’s vehicle was overweight and that he failed to drive the tractor trailer in a “safe and prudent manner.”

Schroeder seeks compensation of more than $50,000, and all other just relief.

This article was first published in Madison Record.

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