Spouse and children of driver killed in collision reach settlement

The family of a 57-year-old tow truck driver who was struck and killed by another vehicle while assisting a stranded motorist on Interstate 255 in the Metro East has reached a $3.4 million confidential settlement of a wrongful death claim with the other motorist’s insurer.

A copy of the settlement agreement, which was provided to Missouri Lawyers Media for verification, shows that the plaintiff’s surviving spouse received $1.1 million, with his three adult children equally splitting another $1.1 million and the Jefferson County plaintiff’s firm of Reinoehl Kehlenbrink receiving a similar stake for legal fees.

The confidentiality agreement precludes disclosure of both the plaintiff and defendant, as well as the identity of the responsible driver’s insurer.

According to a police accident report, the tow truck driver died on impact after the November 29, 2023, accident on southbound I-255 near Mile Marker 6 in Monroe County, Illinois. The other driver, who was 47 at the time, was driving a Ford F-150 pickup truck pulling its own auto trailer.

The victim’s family initially sought a $5 million settlement, said lead plaintiff’s attorney Scott Kehlenbrink, which was countered with a $2 million initial offer that was then increased to $2.5 million before the two sides agreed to mediation with private attorney Charles Swarthout, at which the final settlement was agreed.

Breakdown and distribution of value:
Case Number/Date: Confidential/Oct. 15, 2025
Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois (not filed)
Caption: Confidential v. Confidential
Plaintiff’s attorney: Scott Kehlenbrink (lead) and Rusty Reinoehl; Reinoehl Kehlenbrink, LLC; Arnold
Defendant’s attorney: James Craney; Craney Winters Law Group, Edwardsville, Illinois
Special damages: $750,000 in future lost wages, value of household services
Plaintiff’s expert: Michelle Beach, Springfield (accident reconstruction); William Rogers, Ward Economics, Leawood, Kansas (accounting/damages/economics)