News
Alexander Schools Sued Over Bus Crash
By: Steve Robb - Athens Messenger staff reporter
Posted on:
Alexander Local School District is being sued in Athens County Common Pleas Court because of a 2013 school bus accident.
Louise Barr of Route 356, New Marshfield, filed the lawsuit, which names the school district, bus driver Mike Zimmerman and her insurance company as defendants.
The lawsuit alleges that Barr was driving her compact sport utility vehicle on Waterloo Twp. Road 23 (Biddyville) when the SUV was struck by a school bus that was driven left of center by Zimmerman. The collision caused Barr to drive off the roadway and resulted in damages to the SUV and injuries to Barr, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit states that Barr sustained “severe injuries to her neck, back and hips.”
The lawsuit seeks in excess of $25,000 in damages from the school district and Zimmerman.
At the time of the accident, Barr had liability insurance with USAA Insurance Agency Inc. which included uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage that exceeds the coverage of the defendants’ policies, according to the lawsuit.
Barr is asking the court to require the insurance company to provide coverage under the terms of her insurance policy in an amount to be determined by a jury, and asks the court to determine the rights and responsibilities of the parties under her policy.
Athens County Municipal Court records indicate that Zimmerman was charged by the State Highway Patrol with failure to yield half the roadway. He was fined $40 and assessed $99 in court costs, according to the court’s online docket.