YOUNGSTOWN Family files suit over accident that killed man on snowy road

The man's Blazer went off the road and got stuck in the snow.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The family of a North Benton man killed when his vehicle rolled on top of him two years ago is suing two insurance companies and the Mahoning County engineer.
The suit was filed this week in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court by Audrey, Colleen and Tonya Risbeck of North Benton, and seeks unspecified damages.
According to the suit, Douglas W. Risbeck was driving a 1997 Chevrolet Blazer on Courtney Road, Smith Township, in December 2000 when he "encountered extreme snow-covered conditions on the road."
His vehicle went off the right side of the road and got stuck in a ditch. When he got out to inspect the situation, the vehicle rolled on top of him and killed him, the suit says.
It says Engineer Richard Marsico should have had crews clear the snow from the road so it would have been passable. The engineer's office also should have monitored the weather situation, warned drivers of problems and closed impassable roads, the suit says.
Marsico said he was not aware of the accident, and declined to comment on the lawsuit because he had not seen it.
It also seeks collection of a life insurance claim from Mony Life Insurance Company of Syracuse, N.Y. The company has paid a $100,000 death benefit, but has refused to pay an additional $100,000 for accidental death, the suit says.
It also seeks payment of death benefits from Westfield Companies of Westfield Center, Ohio, which provides motorist insurance coverage for employees of Sebring Sheet Metal, where Risbeck worked.
bjackson@vindy.com