Woman sues contractor after serious crash in I-77 toll construction zone

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A woman is suing a contractor that worked in the Interstate 77 toll construction zone because she said a worker caused a wreck that seriously injured her.

Natasha Reinhardt’s attorney claims that in June 2017, the driver of a truck with Slurry Pavers was in a median in the work zone between 8:30 p.m. and 9:40 p.m.

The truck had an "inoperable right front headlamp" and "inoperable left clearance lamp" and dirt partially or fully covered the lights and reflective tape, according to the lawsuit.

The employee unsafely exited the work zone through the entry point onto I-77 south, crossed the left lane at an angle and moved into the right lane without a signal, the lawsuit claims.

Reinhardt's SUV collided with the construction truck, spun around, slammed into a guardrail and caught on fire.

Reinhardt's attorneys claim the employee and Slurry Pavers were negligent.

"It's like our lives don't matter because they're building a toll lane," Reinhardt said.

She and her attorney are seeking more than $25,000 in damages.

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Reinhardt suffered broken bones, has had strokes, and has to undergo physical therapy as a result of the crash.

She told Channel 9 in 2017 that her life was turned upside down.

"I would not wish this on my worst enemy,” Reinhardt said, “to have to sit ... in a bed and not be able to work or have a machine breathe for you for two weeks or have plates in every aspect of your body."

Since the wreck, the North Carolina Department of Transportation added flashing lights that alert drivers of merging construction trucks, longer construction entrances and continue to have safety meetings with the contractor.

Slurry Pavers is not currently working on the toll-lane project and according to its website, it lists the NCDOT as a partner.

Cox Media Group