Suit Filed By Illinois Firefighter in LODD Trucking Accident

 

One of six Illinois firefighters injured when they were struck by a tractor-trailer last March on Interstate 39, has filed suit against the truck’s driver and the trucking company.

The accident occurred on March 5, 2013 when a tractor-trailer driven by Mansur Shakirov collided with emergency vehicles that were at the scene of a multi-car accident. Three Hudson Community Fire Protection District vehicles and an Illinois  State Police vehicle were damaged. Five Hudson firefighters were injured and one, Chris Brown, was killed. FF Brown was also a career firefighter with the Bloomington Fire Department.

On Monday, firefighter Tyler Cobler filed a federal lawsuit in US District Court for the Central District of Illinois naming Move It Auto Transport and Shakirov, both of Washington State, as defendants. Cobler was one of the injured members.

Shakirov, who was hauling cars at the time of the accident, has been charged with reckless homicide. Cobler’s suit alleges negligence, recklessness, and numerous violations of US DOT regulations.

Here is a copy of the complaint. Complaint

More on the lawsuit.

More on the accident.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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