Joliet's Hollywood Casino Sued After Deadly Crash On Route 6

JOLIET, IL — Robert Lee, a 35-year-old man who was ejected from a Joliet man's car that went up in flames after crashing into a traffic light on Route 6, has filed a lawsuit against the Hollywood Casino Joliet.

The lawsuit, which was filed pursuant to the Illinois Dram Shop Act, alleges that Joliet's Hollywood Casino served the late Matthew Sellers too many alcoholic beverages inside the casino, leaving the 23-year-old Sellers intoxicated and unable to drive his car safely.

At 3:24 a.m. on May 7, 2021, Sellers died, and his body was burned beyond recognition when his car slammed into a traffic light pole along Route 6 and Terminal Court, not far from the shuttered Caterpillar factory.

Lee, the lawsuit's plaintiff, survived the crash.

This week, Lee filed his civil lawsuit against Hollywood Casino Joliet seeking a judgment of more than $50,000. The lawsuit was filed by Shuman Legal, which is located on West Adams Street in downtown Chicago.

The impact of the May 7, 2021, overnight crash knocked the traffic light to the ground along Route 6. Lawyers for Hollywood Casino Joliet have not filed a written response to the lawsuit filed at the Will County Courthouse.

Original Patch coverage:

Coroner IDs Body In Route 6 Burning Car As Joliet Resident