On April 10, 2014, ten people were killed in northern California when a commuter bus was struck head-on by a FedEx truck. The commuter bus was transporting high school students to visit Humboldt State University. The mother of Jennifer Bonilla, a seventeen-year-old student who lost her life in the crash, filed suit on April 22 seeking $100 million in damages.
Jennifer Bonilla had earned a college scholarship and was an honor student at Dorsey High School. Jennifer Bonilla would have been the first member of her family to ever go to college, had she survived the collision.
While Jennifer Bonilla did not survive, dozens of other students escaped through bus windows before the bus exploded. Five students, three adult chaperones, and both drivers died in the crash.
The California Highway Patrol has not yet determined the cause of the crash. However, some witnesses claim that the FedEx truck was on fire before the crash. The lawsuit alleges that FedEx trucks have a history of catching fire from mechanical problems, driver error or improper cargo loading.
Silverado Stages, the owner of the bus, and the estate of the FedEx driver have also been named as defendants. According to the suit, this particular bus also lacked adequate exit doors that could have allowed more passengers to escape.
If you or someone you know have been injured or killed in a bus or truck accident, contact an attorney at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner by calling (713) 222-7211 or 713-222-7211.