A $2.7 million judgment against the Palos Township Highway District and a truck driver contracted to do its roadwork was recently awarded to the family of a Lemont mother of three who was killed in a 1992 two-vehicle crash.
Michael Maloney, an attorney representing the family, said the wrongful-death suit was brought on behalf of the husband and children of Mary Conneely, who died when her car collided Feb. 14 with a truck driven by Curt Haas at Will-Cook and McCarthy Roads in Palos Township.
Conneely, who turned 43 the day of the accident, was driving west on McCarthy when Haas, who was heading north on Will-Cook, allegedly drove in front of her.
“He had a snowplow attachment (on the truck) that extended out” and struck the windshield of Conneely’s vehicle, Maloney said.
Haas’ truck was at a stop sign facing Will-Cook at the intersection before pulling out onto McCarthy and striking Conneely, according to Maloney.
The suit was brought a few months after the accident, but Highway District officials did not agree to a settlement, saying they were not responsible for the actions of Haas, who was an independent contractor.
“We say (Haas) was an agent of the Palos Township Highway District,” and the jury agreed, Maloney said.
He said Haas, who has worked for the Highway District since 1987, was hauling gravel for the district when the accident occurred. The driver still does road work for the district, Maloney said.
Palos Township Supervisor Walter Bregin did not return numerous telephone calls this week and could not be reached for comment on Haas’ current status with the district.