BELLEVILLE – A passenger on a city bus claims she was injured when a wheelchair on the bus rolled into her during a collision.
Nicole Johnson-Barnett filed the suit April 4 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Bi-State Development Agency, doing business as Metro.
On Dec. 10, 2015, when Johnson-Barnett was a passenger on a bus owned by the defendant, the bus was involved in an accident, the suit says. The plaintiff claims she was injured in the collision and when an unsecured wheelchair rolled into her.
Johnson-Barnett alleges the defendant was negligent by failing to keep a proper lookout, operating the bus in such a manner as to cause it to stop suddenly and allow a wheelchair to roll into her, driving at an excessive rate of speed, and failing to properly secure the wheelchair.
As a result, Johnson-Barnett claims she sustained injuries to her left leg and left ankle, has suffered disability and the loss of a normal life, has spent money on necessary medical care, and has lost wages and future earning capacity, the suit says.
The plaintiff seeks judgment against the defendant in excess of $50,000 plus court costs. She is represented by Thomas C. Rich, Kristina D. Cooksey and Michelle M. Rich of Thomas C. Rich PC in Fairview Heights.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 16-L-193