St. Paul, Minn. — In a tragic incident in downtown St. Paul, a construction worker lost his life after being struck by a dump truck, leading to significant legal and financial repercussions for the company involved. The victim, 61-year-old Pete M. Davis of Stillwater, who had recently retired from a long career in public utility service to work in the private sector, died on the scene on September 28, 2022, under circumstances that have drawn intense scrutiny and resulted in an $8.5 million settlement.
Davis was fatally injured at a construction site operated by SGP Contracting Inc. when a 23-year-old dump truck driver, employed by Ti-Zack Concrete Inc., reversed into him while he was on foot. The subsequent investigation revealed not only negligence on the part of the truck driver, who tested positive for cocaine and marijuana following the accident, but also a series of safety failures by the employer.
Following the incident, Davis’ widow, Kristi Davis, filed a wrongful-death lawsuit asserting that Ti-Zack Concrete failed to properly train their driver, lacked a written backup plan, did not use a spotter, and had a faulty backup alarm system on the truck. Further investigations uncovered a pattern of similar incidents and alleged drug use by employees that the company did not adequately address.
It was also disclosed that after the accident, the truck operator sent a text message stating, “I’m f—–,” and it was later found that his cellphone, a key piece of evidence, was deliberately destroyed after Davis’ legal team had issued a preservation order. This cellphone, which was never recovered, is believed to have contained critical information about the driver’s activities at the time of the accident.
The legal proceedings highlighted significant lapses in safety and oversight at Ti-Zack Concrete. According to attorney Jeffrey Sieben, representing Kristi Davis, the company’s negligence extended to the destruction of evidence and insufficient drug testing protocols. A Ramsey County District Judge noted the severity of the driver’s misconduct and the company’s accountability in his ruling on the case.
In addressing the court, Kristi Davis emphasized that while no financial compensation could replace her husband, the settlement would facilitate a push for improved safety measures at Ti-Zack Concrete to prevent future tragedies. A part of the settlement was based on a new state law that considers the victim’s suffering from the moment of injury to death, reflecting the harrowing final moments of Davis’ life as reconstructed by an independent specialist from surveillance footage.
Besides a hefty payment from Ti-Zack Concrete’s insurer, the Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Division imposed fines on both Ti-Zack Concrete and SGP Contracting Inc., signaling broader industry implications concerning training and safety regulations concerning earthmoving equipment.
Pete Davis is remembered as a dedicated public servant and a loving family man passionate about water services and community sports. Beyond his service at St. Paul Regional Water Services, he was deeply involved in coaching local youth hockey and left behind a legacy of civic involvement and three grandchildren who he hoped would inherit his public-spirited values. In his memory, Kristi Davis has initiated the Peter M. Davis Foundation to further his commitment to community service, with initiatives like a charity golf tournament benefiting youth sports organizations.
In conclusion, this case not only underscores the need for rigorous safety protocols in construction and heavy equipment operations but also serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of negligence and oversight failures.
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