EDWARDSVILLE — The wife of a motorcycle rider who died in an Alton collision claims the driver of a flatbed truck failed to abide by a traffic signal on Main Street.
Abbrin West, as independent administrator of the Estate of Nicholas West, filed a complaint April 20 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Daniel Bechtold, also known as Dan's Mercantile, doing business as Knotty By Nature, alleging wrongful death.
The plaintiff alleges that her husband, Nicholas West, suffered fatal injuries in a crash that took place on April 2. Specifically, the plaintiff claims Bechtold was operating a flatbed truck on Main Street in Alton and failed to pay attention to a traffic signal, colliding with her husband's motorcycle.
Abbrin West alleges the Bechtold failed to yield to oncoming traffic, failed to reduce his speed or keep a proper lookout and drove while distracted.
West further alleges Knotty By Nature failed failing to ensure drivers were physically qualified and failed to ensure the required Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations exams and time frames were followed. She claims the defendants also had a duty to require their drivers to furnish all previous motor vehicle traffic law violations, complete a road test and ensure its motor vehicle had all parts in proper operating condition.
Additionally, the plaintiff claims the defendants violated numerous Department of Transportation regulations regarding driver qualifications.
West seeks monetary relief of more than $50,000, plus interest and all other just relief. She is represented by Lanny Darr of the Darr Law Firm in Alton.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 2022LA000517