Man files lawsuit against SkiCo after mini bus collision
Plaintiff alleges SkiCo shuttle driver recklessly collided with his truck, causing serious personal injury
A Silt man filed a lawsuit, alleging an Aspen Skiing Company (SkiCo) shuttle collided with his truck in March 2023, causing him serious physical and emotional injury.
SkiCo met with the Pitkin County Clerk on Thursday, scheduling a Jan. 16 meeting with Judge Laura Makar to review the litigation.
The plaintiff alleges that the SkiCo mini bus “suddenly and unexpectedly” struck the plaintiff’s truck while making a sharp right turn at the intersection of Owl Creek Road and Colorado Highway 82 on March 11, 2023, according to the complaint filed by the plaintiff in late October. The driver was shuttling skiers to or from the slopes at the time of the collision.
The plaintiff was idling in the right lane of the intersection, waiting for traffic to dissipate or the light to change, so he could make a right turn, when the shuttle struck the front left side of the truck, dislodging a piece of the vehicle, according to the document.
The plaintiff alleges that the shuttle drove away from the collision, according to the document.
The collision caused injuries to his left shoulder and neck, he alleges. It also has caused him headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, emotional distress, permanent disfigurement, permanent impairment, permanent disability, suffering, pain, and loss of enjoyment of life, according to the document.
SkiCo responded to the accusations made by the plaintiff in late December.
“Defendants deny that (the shuttle driver) made a sharp right turn that struck the Plaintiff’s truck as alleged and further denies that (the shuttle driver) ‘drove away’ after the incident,” wrote Jonathan Bender, attorney for SkiCo and the shuttle driver.
The plaintiff’s attorney, Jordan Levine, said he has not had an opportunity to speak with the driver about the alleged collision. He said he is trying to give the driver the benefit of the doubt, though he maintains that the driver did drive away after the collision.
“You’re always hoping there’s a logical explanation because he’s a professional driver, that it’s possible he didn’t know he hit him,” Levine said. “But that’s what happened.”
The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Department did not give the shuttle driver a citation regarding the alleged collision, according to Jenni Lefmeifter, senior litigation paralegal at Levine Law LLC, who is also working on the litigation.
The plaintiff alleges that the shuttle driver caused the accident, failing to keep a lookout and watch for adjacent traffic. The driver made an illegal turn and lost control of his vehicle, according to the plaintiff.
SkiCo denies these allegations.
The plaintiff also “incurred past and future economic expenses, losses, and damages” because of the collision, including medical expenses, loss of wages, and loss of mileage, according to the document.
SkiCo also denies these allegations.
When asked for an interview, SkiCo said it does not comment on active litigation.
Skyler Stark-Ragsdale can be reached at 970-429-9152 or email him at sstark-ragsdale@aspentimes.com.
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