Suit filed following death at Aldi distribution center

An Aurora man has filed suit against a trucking company and one of its drivers stemming an accident last month in Batavia that resulted in the death of his father, according to court documents.

Anthony Joseph Van Pelt filed suit Friday in Kane County circuit court as special administrator of the estate of his father, Raymond Van Pelt, of Aurora.

The accident happened Dec. 24 in the parking lot of the Aldi grocery distribution center at 1200 N. Kirk Road. Batavia police say a semi-tractor driver, backing up his truck to attach to a trailer, rolled over pedestrian Raymond Van Pelt.

The defendants are Patrick Karns of Sandwich, and Penske Truck Leasing Co. LP of Springfield.

Karns refused comment, and the attorney for Penske could not be reached.

The suit charges Karns with “carelessly operating” a truck without “keeping a proper lookout,” operating it too fast, and failing to blow the truck's horn as a warning. It also alleges that the truck had inadequate brakes.

No criminal or traffic charges have been filed against Karns.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is also investigating the death.

Anthony Van Pelt is Raymond's only child. Raymond Van Pelt is also survived by his wife, Maria.

The next court hearing is 9 a.m. Tuesday in Room 340 at the Kane County Judicial Center.