EDWARDSVILLE — A woman claims she was severely injured when a semi-truck driver rear-ended the disabled bus she was riding in, tearing away the back portion of the bus.
Ann Niemeyer-Glass and Kevin Glass filed a complaint Sept. 3 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Prairie Farms Dairy Inc., St. Louis Transportation LLC, Daniel Fitzgibbons and Lawrence Chavis, alleging negligence and other claims.
According to the plaintiffs' suit, Ann Niemeyer-Glass was a passenger on a bus operated by the defendants and driven by Chavis. They allege that as Chavis drove the bus on I-55, an alarm buzzer indicating a mechanical problem continued to sound and the bus began to lose power and decelerate. The plaintiffs claim that Fitzgibbons, who was driving Prairie Farm's semi-tractor, "violently" struck the rear of the bus. The collision allegedly caused the back portion of the bus to tear away and forced the bus off the highway. The plaintiffs further claim the collision caused Ann Niemeyer-Glass to be thrown about the interior of the bus.
The plaintiffs allege Fitzgibbons was distracted by texting or using his telephone and that Chavis' ability and alertness was impaired through illness, fatigue or other causes. The plaintiffs also allege Prairie Farms negligently hired Fitzgibbons. They further allege St. Louis Transportation was negligent for failing to inspect and maintain its bus and comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
The plaintiffs seek compensation of more than $50,000, trial by jury and all other just relief. They are represented by Michael Schwade of Kondner Watkins in St. Louis.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 21-L-001076