Express Air settles airport car crash case

A case stemming from a car crashing into a plane at an airport in Sauget has settled just ahead of its Monday trial.

Defendant Enterprise Leasing Company of St. Louis filed a notice of settlement with the court Oct. 27.

The plaintiff in the case, Express Air LLC had been seeking damages in excess of $50,000 for damage it claims one of its planes suffered when an Enterprise employee crashed his car into it in 2003.

According to the complaint filed by Express Air, Charles Arbeiter, an Enterprise employee was driving a car owned by Enterprise at the St. Louis Downtown Airport in Sauget when he struck the company's plane.

The plaintiff argues that Enterprise and Arbeiter breached their duty of care in causing the collision because Arbeiter failed to avoid hitting the plane, drove too fast and failed to keep lookout.

Express Air contends that Enterprise failed to properly train Arbeiter to avoid the collision.

Express Air claims the plane was damaged and that it has lost value as a result of the accident.

The amount of the settlement was not available in court documents.
The case had been set for trial at 9 a.m. Nov. 2.

Madison County Circuit Judge Andy Matoesian is presiding.

Express Air is represented by Robert Ramsey and Timothy Hulla of Edwardsville.

Enterprise and Arbeiter are represented by Stephen Hughes.

Two other defendants, Enterprise Rent a Car Co. and Elco Administrative Services were dismissed from the 2006 case in June 2007.

The case is Madison case number 06-L-861.