Quarry sued over worker crushed by rocks

The grandmother of a deceased man claims her grandson died after a truck full of rocks tipped over and crushed him.

Kathryn Lowe filed a lawsuit June 3 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Falling Springs Quarry Company, Casper Stolle Quarry and Contracting Company, James Elmore, J & C Construction Company and James T. Griffin.

Lowe says Falling Springs Quarry Company and Casper Stolle Quarry, which both sell rock, overloaded a Ford truck owned by J & C Construction Company on April 25.

Griffin, who was driving the truck, returned to J & C Construction Company to let them know he believed the truck, which was filled with 33,180 pounds of rock, was overfilled, according to the complaint.

He requested part of the rock be removed, by J & C Construction Company refused to honor his request, the suit states.

Griffin asked Benjamin Currens to help him unload the truck when it tipped over and killed Ryan Hennemann, Lowe's grandson, the complaint says.

Because of Hennemann's death, his heirs have been deprived of his love, companionship, society, consortium and support and have incurred substantial medical and funeral costs, according to the complaint.

Falling Springs Quarry Company negligently overloaded the truck and refused to correct the overload, Lowe claims.

Elmore, who owned the truck, negligently entrusted the truck to an incompetent and unlicensed driver and provided a truck that was unsuitable for hauling rock, the complaint says.

Griffin negligently operated a truck that he knew was not suitable for hauling rock, the suit states.

In the five-count suit, Lowe is seeking a judgment of more than $375,000, plus costs.

Thomas Q. Keefe Jr. of Belleville will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-289.