Staff report
STARKE— The Bradford County School Board settled a 2019 lawsuit involving one of its buses. According to court papers, Khiana James, individually and representing a minor, sued the district for an April 23, 2015, crash in which Judith Cummings Chesser was operating a 2008 Thomas school bus while employed by the district.
According to the complaint, Chesser was taking students home when, around 3:20 p.m., the bus collided with James’s 2010 Honda Accord, resulting in damage to the Honda and injuries to its occupants.
In court papers, the school board blamed the plaintiff for the collision.
“Plaintiffs so carelessly and negligently conducted themselves as to cause or contribute to the occurrence of the alleged incident referred to in the Plaintiff’s complaint, together with any resultant alleged injuries,” lawyers for the school board wrote, “thus barring or reducing proportionately all claims for damages against the board.”
In a settlement agreement, the school board agreed to pay the plaintiffs $15,000 while not admitting any wrongdoing or liability.
