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Posted on Feb 03, 2006 | TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Charleroi Family Files Suit in Fatal Truck Car Crash

By Rich Cholodofsky

The family of a Charleroi man killed last year in a fiery crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike filed a Wrongful Death lawsuit against the truck driver they blame for causing the fatal collision.

The four-count lawsuit filed this week in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court accuses Randall Kildow, of Elizabeth Township , Allegheny County , of operating a tri-axle dump truck in a negligent and reckless manner on March 16, 2005 .

Also named as a defendant was TR Trucking, of Ruffsdale, which owned the truck and employed Kildow at the time of the accident.

William G. Nelan, 58, died in the crash. His surviving wife and two daughters now contend Kildow was speeding and traveling too fast for road conditions when his truck crossed over a concrete barrier and into oncoming traffic at mile marker 72, between the New Stanton and Irwin interchanges of the turnpike.

The lawsuit contends Kildow failed to keep a lookout for other vehicles, failed to take evasive actions to avoid the collision and failed to keep proper control of his vehicle.

At the time of the crash, police said Kildow attempted to shift lanes but in doing so hit another truck. That collision caused Kildow's vehicle to jump a Jersey barrier and hit Nelan's 2003 Buick LeSabre, police said.

Nelan's car skidded about 100 feet and was pinned against the northern guide rail of the westbound lane.

Kildow was hospitalized after the crash with moderate injuries, according to police.

As of Thursday, no criminal charges had been filed against Kildow.

The Nelan family is seeking an unspecified amount in damages in the lawsuit.

Neither Kildow nor representatives from TR Trucking could be reached for comment yesterday.