Driver totally demolished bus, suit claims

A man has filed suit against the driver who he claims disregarded a traffic signal and crashed into a bus.

Patrick Tyrone O'Neal claims he was driving a bus north on East B Street at its intersection with Sherman Drive in Belleville on Nov. 18 when Juan C. Arcos, who was driving a Chevrolet Silverado west in the 1600 block of Sherman Drive, caused the collision.

"Plaintiff proceeded pursuant to a green light through the said intersection when the Defendant crashed into the passenger side of the bus with great impact totally demolishing Defendant's Silverado pick-up truck," the suit filed Dec. 28 in St. Clair County Circuit Court states.

Because of the accident, O'Neal was severely and permanently disabled, suffered pain and discomfort, lost wages, sustained a damaged earning capacity and incurred medical costs, according to the complaint.

Arcos negligently drove too fast, failed to keep his vehicle under proper control, failed to yield the right-of-way, failed to obey the traffic control device and failed to keep a careful lookout, the complaint says.

In his complaint, O'Neal is seeking an unspecified judgment.

He will be represented by Robert C. Nelson of Nelson and Nelson in Belleville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-670.