Parkersburg couple sues Wood school board for school bus accident

PARKERSBURG -- A collision involving a school bus is at the center of a lawsuit filed in Wood County.

The Wood County Board of Education is named as a co-defendant in a personal injury suit filed Oct. 13 by Orville K. and Kimberly D. Hilderbrand. In their suit filed in Wood Circuit Court, the Hilderbrands, residents of Parkersburg, allege they were injured when a school bus crashed into their car.

According to their suit, on Oct. 14, 2009, Kimberly,45, was driving their 1994 Ford Mustang with Orville,49, riding as a passenger eastbound on W.Va. 47. At a time not specified, they made a left turn into the driveway of 4661 Staunton Ave.

As they were making the turn, a 2003 International school bus driven by James E. Ferguson, also heading eastbound on W.Va. 47, struck the driver's side of the Hiderbrand's car. According to the suit, the impact of the collision pushed the car "90 feet before coming to a final rest."

In their suit, the Hiderbrands alleged they suffered "bodily injuries, property damage and pain and suffering" as a result of the collision. Also, they allege the collision was a result of Ferguson, who is named as co-defendant in the suit, operating the bus "in an unsafe manner and at an unsafe speed."

The Hilderbrands seek unspecified damages. They are represented by Daniel B. Fowler II the Parkersburg law firm of Dunbar and Fowler.

The case is assigned to Judge Jeffrey B. Reed.

Wood Circuit Court case number 11-C-479