School bus driver accused of causing collision

A Missouri resident is suing a bus driver and the bus company for allegedly colliding with his vehicle while driving on the shoulder of the road.

Brandan W. Turner filed a lawsuit on May 11 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Debra K. Watkins of Dupo and G & B Busing Inc. claiming negligence in a November 2013 collision.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff was operating his automobile on South Main near the exit 9 off-ramp in the village of Dupo on or about May 21, 2014. The defendant was driving a school bus on the shoulder of South Main in the same area and allegedly collided with the plaintiff's vehicle.

The suit states that the defendant breached her duty of ordinary care and caution in operating her vehicle. Watkins is accused of failure to yield the right of way to roadway traffic, drive on the right side of the road and maintain an appropriate speed limit.

She is also alleged to have failed to use her turn signal or horn, keep the bus under control, maintain a proper lookout for other automobiles and apply brakes properly.

The plaintiff alleges personal injuries, claiming pain and anguish; lost wages and earning capacity; medical expenses; and impairment from attending to everyday affairs.

Turner seeks damages in excess of $50,000, plus attorney’s fees and costs. He is represented by Clay St. Clair of Crowder & Scoggins in Columbia, Ill.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-280