LAWSUIT FILED OVER FATAL PITTSFIELD STUDENT CRASH AT U.S. 67 INTERSECTION

PITTSFIELD — The family of a Pittsfield High School student killed in a May 24 automobile crash, along with a student who survived the collision, have filed a civil lawsuit seeking a combined $300,000 in damages against the two drivers involved.

According to Illinois State Police, the crash occurred at the intersection of U.S. 67 and Woodson Winchester Road when a car driven by Pittsfield High School student Tristyn Ruzich collided with a truck driven by Zachary Trace of Woodson. Ruzich was traveling east on Woodson Winchester Road at the time of the collision.

Three Pittsfield High School classmates — Lane Foster, Jesse Davidsmeyer, and Joel Noble — were passengers in Ruzich’s vehicle. Davidsmeyer, 18, and Noble, 17, died as a result of the crash. Foster and Ruzich were seriously injured. Trace and a passenger in his vehicle were also injured.

Court records show Foster and the family of Davidsmeyer filed the lawsuit on January 28. The family of Joel Noble is not named in the filing. The lawsuit alleges negligence by both drivers, claiming they failed to pay proper attention and did not brake to avoid the collision. It further alleges that Trace was speeding, although available records do not indicate that he was cited for a traffic violation.

Under the lawsuit, Foster is seeking $50,000 from each driver, plus legal expenses. Davidsmeyer’s family is seeking $100,000 from each driver through wrongful death and survival claims, along with attorney fees and court costs. The filing notes that civil complaints present only one side of a dispute and that the allegations have not been proven in court.

The fatal crash intensified community concerns over safety at the U.S. 67 and Woodson Winchester Road intersection. The location had previously been the site of another fatal crash in 2023. In the months following the Pittsfield students’ deaths, members of the Pittsfield High School community petitioned the Illinois Department of Transportation to add rumble strips approaching the stop sign.

IDOT has since installed flashing beacons at the intersection while continuing to evaluate additional safety measures. State transportation officials have said they review every fatal crash and work with local agencies to determine whether further improvements are warranted. As of earlier this week, rumble strips had not yet been installed.

The civil case remains pending in court.