A tractor-trailer driver is being sued after two children were killed in a crash caused when the defendant allegedly refused to allow their vehicle to pass on the interstate, causing the car to become airborne and hit a bridge.
Brandon Hancock, individually and as next friend of the Estate of Bryson Paintner, A’Staire Hancock, Aaron Hopkins, individually and as next friend of the Estate of Heaven-Leigh Mitchell, and Christian Paintner filed the lawsuit in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Deanna Hart, 1 B.A.B.E. Trucking, FOB Trucking, ADM Logistics, Archer-Daniels-Midland Co, and Michelle Mitchell.
According to the complaint, Hart was operating a 2007 Kenworth tractor-trailer on June 28, 2017, at approximately 4:30 p.m. on behalf of BABE Trucking, FOB Trucking, ADM Logistics. She was driving in the right lane of westbound Interstate 24 in Metropolis. At the same time, Christian Paintner and minors A’Staire Hancock, Bryson Paintner, and Heaven-Leaigh Mitchell were passengers in a 2004 Pontiac Vibe being operated by Michelle Mitchell.
Michelle Mitchell was driving in the left lane of westbound Interstate 24, attempting to pass Hart’s tractor-trailer. The suit states that Hart drove the tractor-trailer into the left lane and then briefly returned to the right lane. She then allegedly drove into the left lane a second time, causing Mitchell to veer off the roadway and into the median.
“After traveling into the median, the subject vehicle became airborne and struck the east side of the eastbound Interstate 24 bridge before falling into the concrete drainage ditch below the bridge,” the suit states.
After causing the incident, the plaintiffs accuse Hart of failing to stop. She allegedly continued driving until she was stopped by law enforcement officers approximately 175 miles away in Pana, Ill.
As a result, Bryson Paintner and Heaven-Leigh Mitchell both suffered fatal injuries that resulted in their deaths. Christian Paintner suffered injuries to his knees, hand and back. A’Staire Hancock suffered from lacerations, a fractured jaw, a fractured left femur, and a fractured right ankle.
The plaintiffs accuse Hart of attempting to prevent the plaintiffs from passing, endangering the safety of the occupants in the subject vehicle, causing the collision and failing to stop, among other allegations.
The suit also alleges Hart has committed previous violations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, including logbook and hours of service violations.
The plaintiffs accuse the trucking companies of allowing Hart to operate the tractor-trailer, failing to ensure their drivers possessed sufficient knowledge of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations,
The plaintiffs seek damages, plus court costs and all other relief the court deems just and proper. They are represented by attorney Mark Emison of Langdon & Emison LLC in Lexington, Mo.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 23-LA-1183