Metro bus driver fell asleep and crashed into Collinsville house, suit claims

A man claims he suffered leg, knee, arm, head, neck and back injuries after a bus driver fell asleep behind the wheel and crashed into a house.

Lucio Reyes filed a lawsuit Jan. 12 in Madison County Circuit Court against Daniel Floyd Sr. and Madison County Transit.

Reyes claims he boarded a bus owned by Madison County Transit and being driven by Floyd at the Fifth Street and Missouri Metro Link Station on Dec. 12.

"That while en route aboard said bus, Plaintiff observed Defendant Floyd to be acting strangely and driving erratically," the suit states. "After several close-call and near-miss incidents, Plaintiff spoke with Defendant Floyd and inquired to Defendant Floyd's condition. Plaintiff requested Defendant Floyd drive in a safe manner."

Still, Floyd continued to drive in an unsafe manner until the bus swerved off the road, drove through a fence and crashed into a house at 926 St. Louis Road in Collinsville, according to the complaint.

Because of the accident, Reyes suffered pain, incurred medical costs, lost wages and suffered an impaired ability to work, labor and enjoy the ordinary pursuits of life, the suit states.

Reyes blames Floyd for driving in an impaired condition, for failing to remedy his impaired condition, for failing to stop driving despite warnings and requests by passengers, for falling asleep while driving, for failing to keep a proper lookout and for failing to stay in the proper lane of traffic.

In the two-count suit, he seeks a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

Thomas E. Schwartz and Justin D. Guerra of Holloran, White and Schwartz in St. Louis will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-21.