Bus passenger sues MCT and others over Alton accident

A woman claims she suffered head, neck and back injuries after a driver crashed into the passenger side of the bus in which she was riding.

Ruthann Bonnell filed a lawsuit Aug. 28 in Madison County Circuit Court against Madison County Transit, Robert Pacheco, Paul R. Zimmerman and Zimmerman Wholesale of Miffintown, Pennsylvania.

In her complaint, Bonnell alleges she was riding in an MCT bus that was traveling west on East Broadway Road in Alton on Sept. 3, 2013. Suddenly, Zimmerman, who was driving a tractor-trailer for Zimmerman Wholesale on the eastbound lanes of the same road, attempted to turn left, according to the complaint. In turn, the vehicle caused a collision, which included the bus in which Bonnell was riding, the suit states.

In addition to her injuries, Bonnell experienced pain and suffering, incurred medical costs, suffered disability and disfigurement, lost her earning capacity and lost wages, the complaint says.

She blames MCT for negligently failing to reduce speed, driving too fast, failing to brake or steer to avoid a collision and failing to keep a proper lookout.

In her complaint, Bonnell seeks a judgment of more than $200,000, plus costs and other relief that the court deems just.

She will be represented by Craig R. Jensen of MeyerJensen in Alton.

The case number is Madison County Circuit Court case 14-L-1181.