Kentucky Injury Law Blog

Children fell ill while riding home

By Peter Smith
psmith@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal

A Jefferson Circuit judge yesterday ordered a local church not to alter a bus until it can be examined by representatives of one of the children who became ill on a July 9 trip.

Judge Steve Mershon issued the restraining order yesterday on behalf of Joetta Thomas, whose daughter Roniqua Yocum was among the children who became sick while riding the bus.

Attorney Steven Frederick, who represents Thomas, said no lawsuits have been filed or are planned, but he sought the restraining order so that his investigators can try to find out what went wrong with the bus before it gets fixed.

"This will just assure us that the bus will be maintained in its current condition," he said, adding that he has no reason to believe the bus has been altered.

The restraining order prevents the church, Evangel World Prayer Center, from transferring possession of the bus.

Several children with The Village of Louisville, a community group, became sick while riding the bus home through Indiana from a track meet.

Emergency workers said the children suffered symptoms consistent with carbon-monoxide poisoning, and Indiana State Police investigators found 10 serious safety violations on the bus, which was evacuated on a highway rest stop in that state.

Six children were taken to hospitals for treatment. All were released by the next day.

Reporter Peter Smith can be reached at (502) 582-4469.

Judge orders church not to alter bus until investigators check it.