Two lawsuits were filed Friday against a Crestwood auto auction business where more than a dozen people were injured by a runaway sport-utility vehicle.
Robert E. Schutzenhofer, 61, of Oak Lawn was among those injured Wednesday when a Land Rover waiting to be sold at Tri-State Auto Auction, 14001 S. Karlov Ave., suddenly accelerated and plowed through a crowd.
Schutzenhofer suffered severe head and chest trauma and was in critical condition at St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields, according to his attorney. The lawsuit, which asks for more than $50,000 in damages, alleges that the company and the female employee who was driving the vehicle failed to ensure the SUV was safe, control the vehicle and keep auction patrons at a safe distance.
Oracio Jimenez and Adan Ornelas also sued the auction company in Cook County Circuit Court. They also are seeking damages from the unnamed driver of the vehicle,alleging she struck another car that then hit the two men, who were attempting to purchase a vehicle, the suit states.
No criminal charges have been filed against the driver. A Crestwood police sergeant said Friday that the investigation was ongoing and that it may take days before authorities determine whether driver error or mechanical failure was to blame.
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mwalberg@tribune.com
