Millstadt ditch collapse subject of wrongful death suit

Mendy Yankey is suing Followell Construction Co. over a sewer line construction accident last month in Millstadt that claimed her husband's life.

Ronnie Yankey died March 10 after the walls of a ditch caved in and trapped him, according to a suit filed April 24 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Yankey worked as a plumber for Midwest Petroleum and Excavating, a subcontractor for Followell Construction, which had a contract with the village of Millstadt to make improvements to its sewer plant.

The project included digging ditches for laying sewer lines, the complaint states.

"That the work of Ronnie required that he work in and around the ditch with a laser to assure proper alignment and on March 10, 2008, at approximately 3:00 p.m., Ronnie's work required him to be in the ditch to discharge his duties," the complaint states.

Yankey is represented by William P. Gavin of the Gavin Law Firm in Belleville.