A tragic incident involving a pedestrian and a city bus has led to a lawsuit against the Metropolitan Transit Authority. On August 21, 2024, Yolanda Davis, Ja'Corey Jefferson, and Oliver Jefferson filed a complaint in Harris County District Court against the Metropolitan Transit Authority. The plaintiffs allege that their relative, Corey Jefferson, was struck and killed by a METRO bus due to the negligence of its driver.
According to the complaint, on January 1, 2023, Corey Jefferson was lawfully walking as a pedestrian when he was hit by a METRO bus operated by Ricky Dacus Jr., an employee of the Metropolitan Transit Authority. The collision resulted in Jefferson's death. The plaintiffs argue that Dacus Jr. was acting within the scope of his employment at the time of the incident and that his negligent actions directly caused Jefferson's fatal injuries. They claim that Dacus Jr. failed to maintain a proper lookout, did not apply brakes timely or properly, drove at an excessive speed, and generally operated the vehicle recklessly.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages under multiple causes of action including negligence and gross negligence. They assert that METRO had both common-law and statutory duties to ensure safe operation of its buses but breached these duties through various acts of negligence such as failing to maintain control over the vehicle and not taking evasive action to avoid hitting Jefferson. The complaint further accuses METRO of gross negligence for showing an extreme degree of risk with actual awareness but proceeding with conscious indifference towards Jefferson’s safety.
In terms of relief sought, the plaintiffs are asking for compensatory damages exceeding one million dollars for mental anguish, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, past medical expenses incurred by Corey Jefferson before his death, and other related costs. They also seek pre-judgment and post-judgment interest along with court costs.
Representing the plaintiffs are attorneys Sam K. Mukerji and Winfield S. Williams from Mukerji Law Firm. The case is presided over by Judge Tianni Williams under Case ID 2024-55256 in Harris County District Court.