Corboy & Demetrio Files Another Megabus Suit

Corboy & Demetrio partner Daniel M. Kotin filed a lawsuit today against Megabus USA on behalf of the family of 76-year-old Donna Halstead, a Chicago woman who was struck and killed by a Megabus on Tuesday of this week.

The lawsuit comes just two days after Kotin and Corboy & Demetrio settled a lawsuit against Megabus for $5.1 million dollars involving the family of another pedestrian, Wes Krueger, who was killed by a Megabus vehicle in 2010 that was just a few blocks from where Ms. Halstead was killed in the West Loop.

According to Kotin, “The similarity between the tragedies involving Ms. Halstead and Mr. Krueger is remarkable.  Both were pedestrians in the West Loop crossing a street on a weekday afternoon.  Both were in a crosswalk with a walk signal, and both were killed by left turning Megabuses, which turned into their paths.”

Ms. Halstead was the longtime assistant to former Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Ann McMorrow.   Halstead, whose daughter has multiple sclerosis, was a volunteer with the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The bus driver, Shemeka Hudson, 32, was cited with failing to yield to a pedestrian in the crosswalk.

In Corboy & Demetrio’s other Megabus lawsuit, that victim, Wes Krueger, was walking west on Adams Street and crossing Des Plaines Street in the crosswalk when a left turning Megabus operated by Shervyle Pruitt struck him and dragged him 30 feet before stopping.  Mr. Krueger died soon thereafter at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

“We have no reason to believe that any mechanical problem with the bus contributed to either collision.  However, we need to explore the issue of sightlines and blind spots as it relates to Megabus’ large motor coaches making left turns in crowded city intersections,” Kotin said.

Case info:

Mary A. Beaver, Personal Representative of the Estate of Donna Halstead, Deceased, v. Megabus USA, LLC, and Shemeka Hudson; Case No. 12L8997(F) in Cook County Circuit Court.

Linda S. Krueger, Administrator of the Estate of Wesley C. Krueger, deceased, v. Megabus USA, LLC and Shervyle J. Pruitt, Case No. 10L3399C, Cook County Circuit Court.

About Corboy & Demetrio: Corboy & Demetrio  is one of the nation’s premier law firms.  The personal injury law firm represents individuals and their families in serious personal injury and wrongful death cases and is renowned for its achievements in the courtroom and for its contributions to the community.  The rights and concerns of its clients are at the core of Corboy & Demetrio’s practice.  That commitment, dedication, compassion and relentless drive has resulted in exceptional service and exceptional results for its clients.  The Chicago law firm has acquired more than $3 billion in settlements and verdicts and has attained almost 600 settlements and verdicts in excess of $1 million. To contact Dan Kotin or another Chicago personal injury lawyer at our firm, call 312-346-3191 or toll free at 800-356-3191.  We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  For more information about our law firm go to corboydemetrio.com.