MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

A bus driver has filed suit against the driver who she claims failed to yield the right-of-way at an intersection and struck her vehicle.

Denise D. Bourbon claims she was driving a bus owned by Madison County Transit south on State Highway 111 at its intersection with Denham Drive in Pontoon Beach on Feb. 16, 2009, when defendant Scotty B. Wentworth, who was driving a vehicle for defendant Howell's Motor Freight east on Denham Drive, attempted to make a right turn, but collided with the bus instead.

Because of the accident, Bourbon suffered serious and disabling injuries to her body and limbs and incurred medical costs, according to the complaint filed Jan. 21 in Madison County Circuit Court. In addition, she experienced great pain, suffering and emotional distress; was unable to carry out her usual duties; and sustained disability and disfigurement, the suit states.

Wentworth negligently drove without keeping a proper lookout, drove too fast, failed to decrease his speed to avoid a collision, failed to drive within a single lane, failed to yield the right-of-way and failed to stop at a stop sign, the complaint says.

In addition to Wentworth, Bourbon names Howell's Motor Freight as a defendant, saying it negligently entrusted its vehicle to a person who it knew would drive recklessly, carelessly and incompetently.

In her two-count complaint, Bourbon is seeking a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs.

She will be represented by Gregory D. Abel, Charles A. Lukis, Julie A. Blanks and Jason D. Van Hemert of Hausmann-McNally in Decatur.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-54.