Madison County Mass Transit sued over passenger's injuries

A Granite City man claims he suffered low back injuries after a bus on which he rode sped over railroad tracks.

Wendell McIntyre filed a lawsuit Aug. 16 in Madison County Circuit Court against Madison County Mass Transit District.

In his complaint, McIntyre claims he rode on a Madison County Mass Transit bus on Aug. 17 at about 4:16 p.m. when the bus stopped suddenly at a railroad crossing. Abruptly, the bus drove very fast across the tracks, bouncing up and down over the tracks and causing McIntyre to be thrown within the bus, according to the complaint.

Because of the incident, McIntyre suffered low back injuries, which caused pain to radiate to his right and left legs, and experienced difficulty with his lower limbs, the suit states. In addition, McIntyre's ability to work has been greatly impaired and he has incurred medical costs of $10,311 following the collision, the complaint says.

McIntyre blames Madison County Mass Transit District for causing his injuries, saying the company's employee failed to stop or swerve to avoid an impact, failed to keep a careful lookout and failed to provide any warning of the approaching tracks.

McIntyre seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus attorney's fees, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Christine Dotson of St. Louis will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-815.