Bi-State blamed for bus rider's fall from scooter

A woman has filed suit against the bus company whose driver she claims made an abrupt turn, causing her to fall out of her scooter and to sustain a concussion.

Maureen Souers claims she was riding on a bus Bi-State Development Agency doing business as Metro was operating on April 27, 2012, at 12 p.m. The bus was transporting Souers from Collinsville to the St. Clair Square mall in Fairview Heights when it made an abrupt turn, causing Souers to fall with her scooter, according to the complaint filed April 4 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Because of the incident, Souers was made sick, sore, lame, disordered and disabled; suffered extensive injuries to her head, right thumb, left elbow, neck and back; and received a concussion, the suit states. She also incurred medical costs, experienced pain and suffering and sustained disability, the complaint says.

In her complaint, Souers blames Metro and its unknown bus driver for causing her injuries, saying the driver drove too fast, made an abrupt turn without warning and failed to keep a proper lookout for Souers, who was unrestrained in the back of the bus.

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

John H. Hustava of Collinsville will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-180.