An Illinois family has accepted a $52 million settlement on behalf of their middle school daughter who was permanently injured last year after being hit by a car as she tried to board a school bus.
The Rockford Register Star reports that the girl, who was a sixth-grade student at Stephen Mack Middle School in Rockton, was in her driveway waiting to board a school bus at about 6:55 a.m. on Jan. 24, 2025, in a largely rural area northwest of Machesney Park and south of Rockton.
Although the bus had activated its red lights and stop arm, the girl was struck by a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze as she crossed the street to board when the bus driver signaled it was safe.
She was thrown 100 feet into a ditch and suffered severe and permanent injuries, spending months in intensive care, according to the lawsuit.
Allen Pelton, 31, was driving the Chevrolet Cruze for the Helm Group Inc. and Civil Constructors Inc.
First Student Inc., the bus company contracted to provide transportation services for the Rockton School District, the Helm Group Inc., Civil Constructors Inc., Pelton and the Rockton School District were named as defendants.
The settlement was reached with insurance companies representing the Helm Group, Civil Constructors and Pelton.
Pelton has been charged with aggravated reckless driving causing great bodily harm, passing a stopped school bus as it was loading or unloading, failure to stop and driving with a tinted front windshield. He has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to appear in court May 14.
