Corboy & Demetrio Obtains $5.1 Million Settlement In 2010 Megabus Crash

The Chicago law firm of Corboy & Demetrio has secured a settlement of $5.1 million for the family of a pedestrian killed by a Megabus in Chicago in 2010.

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Corboy & Demetrio

Aug 09, 2012, 02:35 ET

CHICAGO, Aug. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Corboy & Demetrio partner Daniel M. Kotin settled a case today for $5.1 million on behalf of the family of a man who was struck and killed by a Megabus in 2010 just blocks from the scene of yesterday's fatal pedestrian crash involving a Megabus and Ms. Donna Halstead.

On Feb. 23, 2010, Wes Krueger, 64, 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.

"The fact that yesterday's incident involving Ms. Halstead occurred just a couple of blocks from where Wes Krueger was killed is equally as tragic, but frankly, not surprising," Kotin said. The Megabus curbside loading zone is in that neighborhood. With the number of motor coaches on the roads combined with afternoon pedestrian traffic, any amount of inattentive driving would make a pedestrian death almost predictable."

Wes Krueger is survived by his wife Linda, adult sons Scott and Matthew, and several grandchildren. Scott and Matthew are raising their families in Houston, Texas, and Linda had moved there months earlier, Kotin said. Wes was preparing to retire from his career as Vice President of Superior Graphite in Chicago and had intended to join his wife and children in Houston in nine months, Kotin added.

"Our investigation revealed no failures in bus maintenance or driver training which would have contributed to the crash," Kotin said. Bus driver Pruitt simply didn't see the pedestrian in the crosswalk. However, national data revealing a higher incident of crashes involving discount carriers combined with yesterday's death of Ms. Halstead and last week's Megabus bus crash near St. Louis leads me to believe that there is a systematic problem which must be addressed. These can no longer be seen as isolated incidents."

Case info: 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.

SOURCE Corboy & Demetrio