Illinois Jury Sides with Victim in Deadly Trench Collapse

A jury in southwestern Illinois has awarded $3.7 million to the family of one of two construction workers killed in a trench collapse more than three years ago.

Thirty-seven-year-old Ron Yankey of Ellis Grove and a 48-year-old co-worker died in March 2008 when soft dirt collapsed into the Millstadt trench they were working in during construction of a sewage treatment plant.

Both families sued the project’s general contractor, Followell Construction of Marion. An attorney for Yankey’s family tells WSIL-TV that a St. Clair County jury recently sided with Yankey’s survivors and awarded them $3.7 million.

A representative from Followell Construction hasn’t returned a message seeking comment Monday.

The other family’s lawsuit awaits trial.