Insurer Wants Claims From 2019 Pileup Consolidated In Federal Court

The insurer of the tractor-trailer truck whose driver, according to state police, caused a 59-vehicle pileup on Interstate 80 in December 2019 wants all claims from the crash resolved in federal court.

United Specialty Insurance Co. of Bedford, Texas, in a suit filed Monday in U.S. Middle District Court contends because of the number and extent of the asserted and potential claims there is uncertainty to whom the proceeds of the $1 million policy should be paid.

The deadline for filing claims is Saturday but the court complaint states the number already filed indicates the $1 million limit of liability will not suffice to settle all of them.

The estates of the two people killed, Edward Posavec of Hatfield, Montgomery County, and Marek Szczepanczyk of Sterling Heights, Michigan, are among those who already have filed suit or a claim.

United Specialty says it will deposit $1 million with the court and wants Judge Matthew W. Brann to appoint a special master to assist in resolving claims.