Surviving children of a passenger killed in a tractor trailer accident are suing the truck's driver and his employers over the crash that happened July 8, 2005, on Route 13 near the intersection of Route 156 in St. Clair County.
James Earl Brooks, Jr. and Kameron D. Brooks filed the complaint in St. Clair County Circuit Court June 29 on behalf of their father James E. Brooks, Sr.
The wrongful death suit names Beelman Truck Co., its driver Robert Lee Washington of St. Louis, and Jones & Brooks LLC as defendants.
Washington was operating a 2000 International 9400 Eagle tractor trailer when it left the roadway and traveled down an embankment hitting several trees, the complaint states.
The plaintiffs claim Washington was driving recklessly and too fast, and did not have adequate training. They also claim the tractor trailer was in disrepair and susceptible to tire failure.
"Plaintiffs have forever lost the love, services, consortium, companionship, comfort, instruction, guidance, counsel, training and support of decedent James E. Brooks, Sr. and have experienced grief, sorrow and mental suffering," the complaint states.
The plaintiffs are represented by Joan M. Lockwood, Thomas K. Neill and Morry S. Cole of Gray, Ritter & Graham of St. Louis, as well as Joseph A. Bartholomew of Cook, Ysursa, Bartholomew, Brauer & Shevlin of Belleville.
Beelman Truck sued over Route 13 accident
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