Estate of Oregon Woman Killed by School Bus Files Lawsuit

The estate of a 43-year-old woman who was fatally injured when she was hit by a school bus as she crossed the street with her husband has filed an $8.7 million lawsuit.

The Oregonian reported that Renee Bates and her husband Shawn Bates were hit by a bus in July 2013. Shawn Bates suffered only minor injuries but died about four months later from cancer, leaving their now 12-year-old son as an orphan.

The suit names the First Student bus company the West Linn-Wilsonville School District and the driver Billie Jean Neel. Neel was convicted of careless driving after the crash.

A manager for First Student said she couldn’t comment on the lawsuit. The school district didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment. Neel couldn’t be reached for comment.