ST. LOUIS — The family of a Missouri man who died from injuries sustained in a rear-end collision is seeking court approval of a $275,000 wrongful death settlement in St. Louis Circuit Court.
The case centers around the death of Robbie Coale, also known as Robert Coale, who was seriously injured on Nov. 26, 2024, when the 2023 Buick Envision he was driving was struck from behind by a 2015 Dodge Challenger, according to a petition filed April 16, 2025.
The Challenger was allegedly operated by Ronell Kenney, who has been named as the defendant in the wrongful death suit.
According to the petition filed on behalf of Coale’s surviving spouse, Mary Coale, and his two children, Joseph Coale and Andrea Cauble, the incident occurred on northbound Interstate 55 near the intersection with Interstate 270 in St. Louis County.
Despite receiving extensive medical treatment following the crash, Coale succumbed to his injuries and died on Dec. 8, 2024.
“Plaintiffs contend that Robbie Coale aka Robert Coale died as a result of the injuries sustained in an automobile collision which took place on November 26, 2024, and that Defendant Ronell Kenney was negligent in causing said collision,” the complaint states.
The plaintiffs allege that Kenney was negligent in causing the crash, which led to Coale’s death. They have filed the petition pursuant to Missouri Revised Statutes Sections 537.080 and 537.095, which govern wrongful death claims and the approval of settlements in such cases.
Following negotiations, the parties reached a proposed settlement totaling $275,000, which is now subject to approval by the court.
The settlement includes payments from three insurance sources: $100,000 from Ronell Kenney’s liability coverage with American Family Insurance Company, $150,000 from under-insurance coverage held by Coale’s sister and vehicle owner Leann Kelly with American Family, and $25,000 from Coale’s own under-insurance policy with State Farm Insurance Company.
These amounts represent the limits of the applicable insurance policies, after contractual setoffs.
The proposed apportionment of the settlement proceeds includes $54,599.65 to Mary Coale as the surviving spouse, and $40,335.70 each to Joseph Coale and Andrea Cauble, Coale’s natural children.
The plaintiffs are identified as the sole individuals eligible to bring a wrongful death claim under Missouri law, with no other surviving children named.
In addition to compensating the surviving family members, the petition allocates $91,666.66 to the law firm of Robert A. Strauss for attorney’s fees related to the case.
Another $48,062.29 is designated for the Rawlings Company to satisfy a lien held by Aetna HRP Medicare Advantage, presumably for medical expenses incurred during Coale’s treatment.
The plaintiffs have agreed that upon distribution of the settlement funds, all claims and causes of action related to Coale’s death will be considered resolved.
This includes the discharge of any liability against defendant Kenney and the involved insurance companies, American Family and State Farm.
The petition concludes with a request for the court to approve the settlement, apportion and order the payment of the proceeds, direct the plaintiffs to file satisfactions of judgment upon receipt of the funds, and assess court costs against the plaintiffs. The petitioners were represented by Strauss of Robert A. Strauss LLC in Clayton, Mo.