A tragic accident that occurred over seven months ago has resulted in a lawsuit being filed by two family members seeking justice for the wrongful deaths of a mother and her two daughters. The incident took place on May 24, when a lumber company’s semi truck, driven by David Frazier, pulled onto the inside shoulder of a ramp from Interstate 55 to Interstate 270. The truck was hauling lumber and a forklift, as Frazier believed there was an issue with securing the load.
At the same time, 45-year-old Michelle Yaeger and her two daughters, Kenzi (7) and Natalie (10), were traveling in an SUV along the same stretch of road. Michelle was driving at an appropriate speed when traffic in front of her suddenly stopped, causing her to swerve left and collide with the forklift on the back of the truck. The impact led to a large fire, resulting in the deaths of all three occupants of Michelle’s vehicle.
While Michelle and Kenzi were pronounced dead at the scene, Natalie was found unconscious but alive. She was rushed to the hospital but tragically succumbed to her injuries later on. In response to this devastating loss, Kenneth Brooks, the girls’ father, and Brendan Yaeger, Michelle’s son, filed a lawsuit on November 25 against Frazier, Hiab U.S.A. Inc., Wil-Sites Truck Lines, LLC, and Hardy Holdings Inc.
The lawsuit alleges that the forklift on the back of the truck was in a defective and unreasonably dangerous condition when used as intended. Various design flaws in the forklift are cited, including its height of 80 inches above the truck, inadequate protection for fuel lines and tanks, and a lack of energy-absorbing features to prevent vehicles from crashing underneath it.
Moreover, the legal action claims that Frazier and the companies involved were negligent in their actions. Frazier is accused of failing to park in a safe location, not following emergency procedures, and lacking sufficient training and policies provided by the company. These alleged shortcomings are believed to have directly contributed to the tragic accident that claimed the lives of Michelle, Kenzi, and Natalie.
This lawsuit serves as a reminder of the devastating impact that negligence and defective products can have on innocent lives. The family members of the victims are seeking accountability and justice for the loss of their loved ones, as they navigate the challenging road to healing and closure. The outcome of this legal action will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for road safety and the responsibility of companies and drivers to ensure the well-being of others on the road.
