Jefferson City man sues truck driver in fatal August crash on I-70
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A man who survived a head-on collision on Interstate 70 is suing a truck driver and multiple companies.
According to a petition filed on Monday in Boone County, John Brizendine sued Walter Montejo, as well as FDH Trucking, Erik’s Auto Sales, JL Transportation and Bluebird Composting.
The lawsuit says that Brizendine was driving a 2022 Dodge Ram that was heading eastbound on Aug. 5, 2024, when Montejo drove through the median with a 2015 Freightliner and hit the Dodge head-on.
Brizendine, of Jefferson City is suing for damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and more. The lawsuit accuses Montejo of negligence and FDH Trucking, Erik’s Auto Sales, JL Transportation and Bluebird Composting, of negligent hiring and retention and being responsible for their employee. A summons was requested for all defendants in the case.
Two women were killed in the crash and Montejo was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter, one count of second-degree assault, misdemeanor driving while revoked and misdemeanor driving without a license.
Montejo is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. A hearing in that case is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 24. A pretrial conference is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday, March 7.
