Wife of construction worker killed on Interstate 80 files lawsuit

Janie Vargas, the wife of a construction worker killed while working between concrete barriers on Interstate 80, has filed a lawsuit against Ralph Billick and Billick Trucking after he backed a dump truck over her late husband on July 12, 2010.

Armando Vargas was killed after the dump truck's rear dual wheels drove over him, causing blunt force injuries to the chest, abdomen, pelvis and legs. He died at the scene.

The lawsuit filed on May 27 claims that Billick was negligent in following Motor Carrier Safety Rules, failed to follow Iowa's Maximum Gross Weight law, failed to warn workers that he was backing up, and failed to operate an automatic reverse signal alarm.

Janie Vargas is seeking payment for burial expenses, the physical pain and mental anguish of Armando Vargas, the loss of wages that Armando Vargas would have reasonably accumulated as a result of his own efforts if he had lived out his natural life, the present value of the financial support Armando Vargas would have contributed to his family, and other damages.

At the time of the accident, Iowa City Police identified the man as Gamaliel Rodriguez and that is the name they released. Vargas was also known by the name Gamaliel Rodriguez, which was on his ID, and that is why ICPD identified him as Rodriguez in the original reports.