Marshall man accused of slamming semi-truck into another, injuring the driver

A Marshall man is accused of running a big rig into the back of a truck parked in a construction zone along I-270 in Chouteau Township.

Joseph Heilig filed a lawsuit against Lindsey L. Lambert and his employer, Jet Express Inc., Sept. 30 in Madison County Circuit Court.

In the complaint, Heilig says he was sitting in the cab of a semi-truck when Lambert ran another tractor-trailer truck into the back of it. The alleged crash happened in October 2008 along a section of I-270 that was under construction at the time.

Heilig claims Lambert was driving a Freightliner on behalf of his employer, Jet Express Inc., an Ohio-based trucking company.

As a result of the crash, Heilig says he suffered muscle, tendon, ligament and nerve damage in his neck, back, spine and shoulder.

Heilig says Lambert caused the crash by driving too fast for conditions, failing to keep a proper lookout and failing to maintain control of the truck. Because the defendant was driving for Jet Express, Heilig argues the company is equally responsible for his injuries.

Heilig is asking for at least $50,000 from each defendant to compensate for medical expenses, a loss of income and a reduction in his capacity to enjoy life.

James P. Leonard of Devereaux, Stokes, Nolan, Ferndandez & Leonard in St. Louis is representing Heilig.

Madison County Circuit Court Case No. 10-L-1012.