Dump truck driver's estate sues company for interstate death

Michelle Kopsie and Brandy Janssen have filed a suit on behalf of Terry Adams against Carl McGaughey, II, McGaughey Trucking and McGaughey Construction, alleging Adams died as a result of injuries sustained while he was driving a dump truck owned by McGaughey.

Janssen and Kopsie claim Adams was traveling north on Interstate 55, approximately one mile north of an intersection with Route 270/70, on June 18, according to a complaint filed Aug. 27 in Madison County Circuit Court.

After getting into an accident while driving McGaughey's dump truck, Adams suffered severe injuries from which he died June 18, according to the complaint.

He left behind three minor children and each has been deprived of their respective means of support, companionship of Adams, and large amounts of money and services Adams contributed to them, the lawsuit states.

Kopsie and Janssen claim McGaughey was negligent because he failed to maintain his vehicle in a reasonably safe condition, allowed his vehicle to be operated upon the roadway when he knew or should have known that the vehicle contained certain defects rendering it unsafe for operation upon the roadway, failed to make appropriate and timely repairs to the vehicle and failed to provide a reasonably safe vehicle for operation by Adams.

In the three-count suit, Kopsie and Janssen seek an amount in excess of $150,000, plus the costs of the suit, and any other relief law may require.

They are represented by David Dugan of David W. Dugan, P.C. in East Alton.