Husband faces suit over fatal accident that claimed wife

Two years following his wife’s death, a man finds himself facing a lawsuit blaming him for causing her passing.

Beverly Terveer filed a lawsuit Dec. 20 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Harold Vitrey.

In her complaint, Terveer claims Thelma Vitrey rode as a passenger in a vehicle Harold Vitrey drove north on Illinois Route 4 near its intersection with Bee Hollow Road on Dec. 2, 2010, when he lost control of his vehicle, skidded off the road, slid down an embankment and struck a tree.

Terveer is special administrator of Thelma Vitrey's estate.

Because of the collision, Thelma Vitrey suffered severe and permanent injuries, including a ruptured diaphragm, a broken rib, a broken arm and a fractured vertebra, that ultimately led to her death.

Due to Thelma Vitrey’s death, Terveer lost her companionship and society, according to the complaint.

Terveer blames Harold Vitrey for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to keep a proper lookout for ice, drove too fast, failed to drive in a careful manner, failed to maintain control of his vehicle and failed to exercise the highest degree of care.

In her two-count complaint, Terveer seeks a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

Deanna L. Litzenburg of Mathis, Marifian and Richter of Belleville will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 12-L-669.