BELLEVILLE — An East St. Louis trucking company is suing Geico after the insurance company sold a vehicle that was evidence in three lawsuits.
Beelman Truck Co. filed a complaint Sept. 28 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Geico Casualty Insurance Co., alleging that the insurance underwriter breached its duty to retain and preserve the vehicle that was to be used as evidence in the plaintiff's defense.
According to the complaint, Bellman Truck Co. was named a defendant in three lawsuits after Vera Rees was in a collision, resulting in injuries and death to her passengers.
The plaintiff alleges Geico negligently shipped the vehicle in question to Africa after it was prematurely sold, hampering Beelman's ability to defend itself in court in the three lawsuits.
Beelman alleges spoliation of evidence after Geico negligently allowed the vehicle to be sold.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment in its favor in an amount exceeding $50,000, plus court costs, attorney's fees and all other and further relief as the court deems proper. It is represented by Dean C. Nichols of Pitzer Snodgrass PC in St. Louis.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 16-L-513