Stranch, Jennings & Garvey (SJ&G), PLLC, has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Keyontae McEwen, the charter school bus driver severely injured in a head-on collision with a WeGo transit bus in August 2023. Some of the 11 children onboard also sustained injuries.
Named as defendants in the complaint are Davidson Transit Organization (DTO), Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), which operates as WeGo Public Transit, and Tyler Henning, the driver of the WeGo bus at the time of the crash in the Donelson area of Nashville. According to the complaint, the collision occurred when Henning’s bus veered into McEwen’s lane, resulting in a head-on impact with the charter school bus, which was then rear-ended by two other vehicles.
The lawsuit claims DTO and MTA were negligent in the crash by “failing to properly train, supervise, monitor” transit drivers. DTO and MTA also “should have known that (Henning) was not capable of driving (the shuttle) with due care and/or pursuant to the Tennessee Department of Safety’s commercial driver’s license manual.”
The complaint also argues that Henning’s actions constitute negligence and violations of state statutes, including failing to obey traffic laws, failing to maintain his respective lane and driving recklessly.
“These defendants owed a duty of care to Keyontae and those children, and they failed,” said Isaac Kimes, SJ&G member and the attorney representing McEwen. “Keyontae sustained significant injuries because of their actions. We must hold DTO, MTA and their drivers to a higher standard and make them accountable for their negligence.”
McEwen is seeking restitution for personal injury and property damages, court costs and a jury trial. The complaint, Keyontae McEwen vs. Metropolitan Transit Authority d/b/a/ WeGo, Davidson Transit Organization, and Tyler Henning, was filed Sept. 20, 2023, in the Circuit Court of Davidson County, Tennessee — 20th Judicial District at Nashville.