Kim Kesler Killed In Dennison Skid Steer Accident

Wrongful Death - September 30, 2025

Kim Kesler, of West Terre Haute, Indiana, Died After Skid Loader Overturned in Dennison, Clark County

DENNISON, ILLINOIS (September 30, 2025) – A man identified as Kim Kesler has tragically died in a skid steer accident in rural Dennison, Clark County.

Clark County officials are saying that the accident took place around 9:35 AM on Thursday. Kim Kesler was operating a skid steer when it overturned for some reason.

The victim became injured and trapped as a result of the accident. Paramedics were called to the scene to help the victim. Sadly, Kim Kesler was beyond medical aid and later died as a result of his injuries.

A full investigation into the Clark County skid loader accident remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Accidents Involving Skid Steers

Companies that manufacture skid steers have a legal obligation to ensure that these devices are reasonably safe. They must adhere to all safety regulations and have the necessary safety features to protect occupants from serious injury or death. If a piece of construction equipment has designed defects that make it likely to malfunction, this could form the basis of a product liability claim. There could be a number of different safety defects with the skid steer that could contribute to an accident.

• Hydraulic System Defects: A skid steer is more likely to malfunction if there is any leak or rupture in the hydraulic lines. This could cause a sudden loss of lift or tilt control.
• Brake Issues: Skid steers are incredibly heavy pieces of equipment that navigate all kinds of difficult terrain. Any issues with the brakes could cause a driver to lose directional control with their vehicle.
• Stability Problems: Skid steers are supposed to be relatively stable and in many instances equipped with rollover protection structures (ROPS). However, these structures could collapse and thus fail to protect the occupant in the event of a rollover.
• Electrical System Failures: All skid steers rely on certain electronic components to function. Short circuits or wiring issues could lead to major failures of critical components and cause a driver to lose control.

Many lawsuits have been pursued against companies that manufacture skid steers and other pieces of construction equipment. Consider, for example, Hammond v. International Harvester Co. A man was killed while operating a skid loader. The operator’s foot hit the pedal that controlled the boom arm. The upper part of his body was impacted by the boom arm after it extended outside the operator area. A jury found that the skid loader in question was defective. In particular, it was delivered without the standard rollover protection structure (ROPS) and side screens. The company that manufactured the machine actually removed the ROPS.

Steps to Take After a Skid Loader Accident

Accidents involving skid loaders and construction equipment are unfortunately quite common. According to the Center for Construction Research and Training, “Contact with objects and equipment was a leading cause of event or exposure for injuries from 2018 to 2020, averaging 25.0K yearly, or nearly one-third (32.3%) of total injuries (chart 12).” It is important that certain steps are taken after any accident involving a skid loader.

• Medical Records: All medical records related to the incident should be collected and carefully reviewed.
• OSHA Investigation: If a skid loader accident happened at a worksite, OSHA should be notified so that they can begin an official investigation.
• Eyewitness Testimony: Any person that may have witnessed the accident should be interviewed so that their side of the story can be heard.
• Product Review: The skid loader involved in the accident should be carefully examined for potential defects. Among other things, it should be established if the device is equipped with required safety features.

It can be difficult to know what to do after any serious accident with construction equipment. This is especially true when a family loses a loved one. To make matters worse, the companies that manufacture skid loaders and other construction equipment will virtually never accept any responsibility for these accidents. This is why it is so important that any accident involving heavy equipment is carefully reviewed by someone knowledgeable with product defect cases.

Investigating Clark County Skid Steer Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Kim Kesler. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. Many questions remain unanswered. Did this skid steer have a rollover protection structure? What company manufactured the device?

Do you need more information about a Clark County skid steer accident? Our team of consumer safety advocates is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that consumers are protected from unsafe equipment. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.