Rig crashes into rear of car on I-44, suit claims

A driver for a Madison County trucking company is accused of running into the back of another vehicle in Missouri.

Daniel Darrough filed a lawsuit Nov. 16 in Madison County Circuit Court against LTI Trucking Services Inc. and Michael Runk.

The alleged crash happened in April 2010 as Darrough was driving east on Interstate 44 in Rolla, Mo. Runk, driving a tractor-trailer for LTI Trucking, was directly behind Darrough's vehicle. Darrough says he was forced to slowed down to avoid a car that was allegedly stopped on the road. The stopped vehicle had been involved in an earlier crash and had been left sitting in the roadway, according to the complaint.

When Darrough braked to avoid the parked car, he says Runk ran the LTI big rig into the back of his car. Darrough says the impact of the crash caused him to be seriously injured.

Darrough accuses Runk of negligence for his alleged unsafe driving of the work truck. LTI Trucking is also accused of negligence for allegedly allowing an improperly-trained driver to operate one of its vehicles. Darrough is asking for more than $300,000 in compensatory damages for medical expenses along with punitive damages and court costs.

Attorney Joshua P. Meyers of Chesterfield, Mo. is representing Darrough. They ask for a jury trial.

Madison County Circuit Court Case No. 11-L-1219.