Cahokia widow files wrongful death suit against Charter, employee

Charter Communications and a Charter employee are named in a wrongful death suit filed by a Cahokia woman whose husband died last month after he was struck by a van driven by the employee.

According to documents filed in St. Clair County Court on July 2, George Smith of Cahokia was headed home on June 4 when a Charter van driven by Brent A. Doty that was northbound on Water Street in Cahokia made a left turn onto Levin Drive and struck Smith’s motorcycle.

Doty, 33, of Waterloo was issued a citation for failing to yield at an intersection, according to court records.

Smith was transported to Touchette Regional Hospital in East St. Louis before being transferred to St. Louis University Hospital. He died of his injuries on June 8.

Catrina Smith claims in the suit that both Doty and Charter were negligent in their duties the day her husband was struck and suffered the injuries that led to his death. She is seeking financial compensation to pay for medical expenses and court costs and to compensate her and her husband’s three sons for the pain and suffering associated with George Smith’s death.

Catrina Smith’s attorney, listed in court documents as Brent Sumner of the Sumner Law Group, LLC. in St. Louis, could not be reached for comment.

A Charter spokesperson said Tuesday the company “does not comment on pending legal matters.” The spokesperson also said the company couldn’t comment on whether Doty is still employed by Charter.

This story was originally published July 22, 2015 at 9:59 AM with the headline "Cahokia widow files wrongful death suit against Charter, employee."