Shirley Riffe, 47, was riding as passenger with another male in an SUV that was on the shoulder of Missouri Highway 44 changing a flat tire.  The SUV, which was towing a boat, was parked well off of the highway when a tractor-trailer being driven by Faron Billeck of Texas crashed into the temporarily disabled SUV.  The tractor-trailer actually struck the boat that was being towed by Riffe's SUV, at which time it became airborne and utlimately caused the premature death of Ms. Riffe.  The crash was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. 

This crash involved a tractor-trailer and its recordable and reportable to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).  When tractor-trailers are involved in crashes with other vehicles, they must report the details of the crash to the FMCSA.  Tractor-trailers involved in interstate commerce must follow both federal and state laws and statutes.  The trucking companies that employ and/or use these trucks must also abide by the same rules and statutes.  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Code of Federal Regulations, Federal Department of Transportation, are a few examples of FEDERAL authority controlling the commercial trucking industry.  In exchange for issuance of a "DOT number", trucking companies and their trucks must operate consistent with the rules and regulations promulgated by these authorities.

This particular crash is especially tragic for numerous reasons.  First, it was highly preventable.  Tractor-trailers must change lanes to accommodate disabled vehicles that are temporarily parked on the shoulder of streets and highways if it is safe to do so.  Not only did this truck NOT accommodate the disabled SUV by changing lanes but it actually ran off the road into the shoulder stricking the boat and utlimately causing the death of young Shirley Riffe. 

Ms. Riffe's surviving spouse, next of kin, and parents may have a civil cause of action pursuant to Missouri's Wrongful Death Statute.  That list of persons will have priority according to their perspective 'class', 'tier' or 'ranking' under the statute.  A wrongful death claim filed in Missouri must meet certain requirements to the statute.  Damages which are recoverable include funeral expenses, compensation for conscious pain & suffering, and various other losses directly caused by the negligent truck driver.  St. Louis Wrongful Death Lawyer Stephen Schultz regularly files these types of claims against truck drivers and the potentially negligent carriers they work for.

Visit the Schultz Legal Group truck crash resource center today for help with your claim!