Lawsuits Filed by Families of Victims in Fatal 2023 St. Louis Accident

Several families have taken legal action by filing wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits following a tragic accident that resulted in the loss of four lives in St. Louis in February 2023. These lawsuits, filed on April 15 in St. Louis Circuit Court, involve a driver who was convicted of felony charges in connection with the incident, as well as the City of St. Louis and the Missouri Department of Transportation. The collision took place on Feb. 26, 2023, at the corner of Forest Park Parkway and Grand Boulevard, claiming the lives of 19-year-old Anthony Robinson, 19-year-old Richard Boyd, 18-year-old Bryanna Dentman-Johnson, and 20-year-old Contrail McKinley. The driver, who pleaded guilty to multiple charges including involuntary manslaughter and assault, caused the tragic crash by recklessly maneuvering through traffic, running a red light, and colliding with an SUV carrying several young individuals. Tragically, the impact led to the SUV overturning and falling off a guardrail onto the road below. The lawsuits allege that the negligence of the driver, as well as the City of St. Louis and MoDOT, contributed to the incident. Family members argue that the intersection's poor design and insufficient infrastructure heightened the dangers and escalated the severity of the crash. Specifically, defects in the sidewalk and guardrails failed to prevent the vehicle from becoming airborne. The families contend that the City of St. Louis and MoDOT neglected their duty to ensure the intersection met safety standards through proper design, inspection, and maintenance. Seeking damages exceeding $25,000 from each party, the lawsuits aim to cover expenses like funerals, injuries, and the emotional and financial support losses endured by the families. These legal actions encompass three wrongful death suits and a personal injury claim.