In Re Estate of Finley

Shawn Finley was struck and killed on March 26, 1990, by a semitrailer driven by Alfred Lourdeau and owned by Allyn Enterprises and Flatbed Express Company. Shawn was six years old at the time of his death. Surviving were his father, Taoufik Zemmel, his mother, Pam Finley, his brothers Antron and Mark Finley, his half-brother, Allan Zemmel, and his half-sister, Amy Zemmel. All of Shawn’s siblings were minors.

Taoufik Zemmel was appointed special administrator of Shawn’s estate by the circuit court of Champaign County. As special administrator, Zemmel filed a wrongful death action. Zemmel…