Mother sues driver over son's school bus injuries

The mother of a minor boy has filed suit against the driver who she claims rear-ended the bus in which her son was riding

Fernando Cooks was riding in a school bus that was traveling west on Route 163 in Centreville on April 11 when defendant Marsha L. Brooks, who was driving in the same direction, struck the back of the bus, Cooks’s mother, Jennifer Bynum, claims.

Because of the collision, Cooks was made sick, sore, lame, disordered and disabled; received back and knee injuries; and incurred medical costs, the suit states. He also suffered disability and experienced pain and suffering, the complaint says.

Bynum negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, drove in such a manner as to collide with the back of the bus, failed to properly apply her brakes, drove too fast, followed the bus too closely and drove without adequate brakes, according to the complaint filed Oct. 26 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

In her complaint, Bynum is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

John H. Hustava of Collinsville will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 12-L-578.