Millstadt accident is subject of suit

A Millstadt man and his parents have filed suit over injuries sustained in a one-vehicle accident nearly two years ago.

Benjamin J. Dori, Rebecca L. Dori and Ronald A. Dori claim Benjamin J. Dori was riding in a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado defendant Travis Schaller was driving east on Saeger Road in Millstadt on July 4, 2008. Benjamin J. Dori was riding as a passenger in the vehicle.

"Through defendant Travis Schaller's negligent operation of the Silverado, the vehicle left the traveled portion of the roadway, entered a ditch and crashed into a tree," the suit states. "The force with which the Silverado crashed into the tree caused it to flip upside down. The vehicle came to a final rest on its top."

Because of the accident, Benjamin J. Dori suffered broken and fractured bones in his leg, hip, hand and toe; suffered pulled, torn, strained and traumatized muscles; endured impact trauma to his right knee; required inserts as his right leg is shorter than his left; suffered deep cuts and scrapes to his face and head, embedded glass in his head and back, severe bruising and contusing and scarring; and will be forced to endure various future surgeries, according to the complaint.

Benjamin J. Dori's parents have incurred more than $100,000 in medical bills to treat his injuries, the complaint says.

The Doris blame Travis Schaller for negligently driving while heavily intoxicated, for driving at an excessive speed, for failing to maintain proper control of his vehicle, for failing to keep a proper lookout and for failing to maintain his vehicle in the traveled portion of the road.

At the time of the accident, defendants Kevin Schaller and Schaller Auction Service lent Travis Schaller the vehicle he drove in the crash. The co-defendants should never have done so, knowing Travis Schaller to be an incompetent, inexperienced and reckless driver, according to the complaint.

In their six-count complaint, the Doris are seeking a judgment of more than $300,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

They will be represented by Russell F. Watters and Scott H. Morgan of Brown and James in St. Louis.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-292.