EDWARDSVILLE — A bus passenger claims a Prairie Farms tractor trailer driver was driving beyond federal time and distance restrictions when he collided with the bus on Illinois Interstate 155.
Diane Miller filed a complaint June 25 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Prairie Farms Dairy Inc., Daniel Fitzgibbons, St. Louis Transportation LLC and Lawrence Chavis, alleging negligence.
According to Miller's suit, she was a passenger on a bus that was traveling on Illinois Interstate 155 on Sept. 16, 2019. Miller alleges that Fitzgibbons, who was driving Prairie Farms' tractor trailer, struck the rear of the bus and caused her to suffer multiple injuries.
Miller claims that as a result of her injuries, she has endured pain, discomfort, disfigurement and loss of a normal life.
She alleges Prairie Farms negligently hired Fitzgibbons to operate their commercial vehicle and failed to properly supervise or train him in the safe operation of the vehicle. Miller alleges Fitzgibbons had been required to drive a route with distances and time restrictions per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which caused his alertness to be impaired.
Miller seeks compensation of more than $50,000, trial by jury and all other proper relief. She is represented by Alan Pirtle of Brown & Crouppen PC in St. Louis.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 21-L-000742