Bus driver shut door on exiting passenger, suit claims

A Madison County woman has filed suit against Agency for Community Transit, alleging she fell after a bus driver shut a door on her as she was attempting to exit the vehicle.

Mary Willis claims she was a passenger on a bus operated by Agency for Community Transit on Oct. 21.

As Willis was trying to disembark from the bus, the driver shut the door, causing Willis to fall and become seriously injured, according to the complaint filed Sept. 30 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Because of the incident, Willis was hindered from her usual duties, suffered great pain and anguish and incurred medical costs, the suit states.

Agency for Community Trust negligently operated the bus door so it hit Willis, failed to warn Willis the bus door was closing and failed to keep a proper lookout for Willis as she was exiting the bus, the complaint says.

Willis is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

She will be represented by Thomas E. Schooley of the Law Offices of Thomas E. Schooley in Granite City.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-1045.