Semi caused woman to veer off road; Daughter died as result, suit claims

The mother of a St. Clair County girl says her daughter was killed when the car she was riding in was forced off the road by a semi.

Toni Niermann, on behalf of Kaitlyn Niermann, filed a lawsuit Aug. 26 in St. Clair County Court against Vera A. Rees and Beelman Truck Company.

According to the complaint, Kaitlynn Niermann was riding in the passenger seat of a car being driven by Rees in January 2010. As they headed west on Illinois Route 13 near the intersection of Jean Road, a Beelman Truck Co. tractor-trailer allegedly veered into the car's lane of traffic.

To avoid getting hit, Niermann says, Rees drove off the side of the highway. The car allegedly rolled, causing severe injuries to her daughter Kaitlynn. Niermann says her daughter eventually died as a result of those injuries.

Niermann accuses Rees and Beelman Truck of negligence and asks for more than $100,000 in damages plus court costs.

She is represented by attorney Chris Kolker of Belleville's Kolker Law Offices.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 11-L-481.