St. Paul, Minnesota--(Newsfile Corp. - February 5, 2025) - An $8.5 million settlement has been reached in the wrongful death case of Peter Michael Davis, a 61-year-old construction worker who was fatally struck by a dump truck at a downtown St. Paul construction site in 2022.
"During our investigation of Peter's tragic death on behalf of his widow Kristi Davis, we uncovered several serious failures on the part of the defendant," said Jeffrey S. Sieben, an attorney with SiebenCarey Personal Injury Law. "These included drug use by the driver of the truck, destruction of evidence, and negligence in drug testing and other safety protocols. In other words, if the rules would have been followed, Pete would still be here."
[Interviews Available: See Below]
Davis, 61, worked for the St. Paul Regional Water Services Department for over 40 years before he retired. On Sept. 28, 2022, he was working for a subcontractor when he was crushed by a loaded dump truck as it was backing up at a construction site on Wabasha Street North just south of 7th Street East in downtown St. Paul. Davis was pronounced dead at the scene.
The case, Kristi Marie Davis as Trustee for the Heirs and Next of Kin of Peter Michael Davis v. Defendants, was heard by Judge Mark Ireland, Ramsey County Second Judicial District Court. Here are the key findings:
Drug Use: The truck driver involved in the fatal accident tested "presumptive positive" for both cocaine and THC (marijuana) after a urine draw at Regions Hospital. The use of controlled substances prohibited the driver from operating a commercial vehicle while performing safety-sensitive functions.
Cover-Up: Litigation revealed the defense intentionally destroyed critical evidence and violated federal drug testing protocols.
Additional Safety Failures: Plaintiff alleged that Defendants failed to adequately train the driver, developed no written backup plan, did not use a spotter, and improperly installed a backup alarm. Plaintiff uncovered a history of backing accidents that Defendant failed to address.
New Case Law: Part of the settlement included money for the agony suffered by Davis from the moment he was first struck to the time he lost consciousness and died. This award results from a new law in Minnesota granting relief for the pain a person suffers prior to death in wrongful death cases.
Judge Ireland's orders in the case can be reviewed here. (https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/xpze0ykfdm9h3mhj066j0/AEoxtiOzWC6d9sSWrd8kwnQ?rlkey=hwtexwduy7y22sjm0oedsmkui&dl=0).
"We know some construction workers struggle with opioid abuse," Sieben said. "The hard physical work takes a toll and leaves many with chronic pain. Strict drug testing protocols exist when commercial motor vehicles are in use. This case shows the horrific results when those protocols are ignored."
Davis grew up in North St. Paul and was living in Stillwater, Minn., at the time of his death. He was highly regarded by his coworkers at St. Paul Regional Water Services, where he had a reputation for hard work, dedication, and mentorship. He and his wife Kristi were married for 35 years and raised two daughters and three grandchildren.
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Interview Opportunities:
Kristi Davis, Peter's widow and wife of 35 years, is available for interviews about the case and settlement, how Peter's death has impacted the family, and the broader issues of safety protocols on work sites… protocols her husband followed during his 40-plus year career.
Jeffrey Sieben, the attorney representing Kristi and Peter's family, is available for interviews to explain the legal nuances of the case and how extensive investigation and discovery contributed to arriving at the $8.5 million settlement.
Media Contact: Steven L. Miller • (612) 860-6283 • slm@wellandlaike.com
About SiebenCarey
Founded in 1952, SiebenCarey has become one of Minnesota's largest and most well-known personal injury law firms, successfully representing more than 70,000 people. For 73 years, the firm has employed experienced lawyers and professional support personnel covering general trial practice in all courts, personal injury, workers' compensation, and wrongful death. SiebenCarey maintains offices in Minneapolis, Lakeville, and Duluth. For more information, visit www.knowyourrights.com.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/239795
SOURCE: SiebenCarey Personal Injury Law
