Two Lawsuits Filed in Bus Accident That Killed 19

The first two lawsuits stemming from the Mono County bus accident that killed 19 people were filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Mary J. Ainsworth, 67, of Santa Monica, one of 22 passengers injured in Friday’s accident in the Walker River Canyon on U.S. 395 near Bridgeport, filed a $1-million lawsuit blaming the bus driver and the tour company for her extensive injuries. The second, a wrongful death suit, was brought by Douglas Dale, son of Norma Dale, 67, of Santa Monica, who was killed. No damages were specified.

Meanwhile, three more of the 22 survivors were released from hospitals Tuesday. Sixteen remain hospitalized. One woman passenger is missing and presumed drowned.

Driver Ernst A. Klimeck, 47, reportedly told investigators that he heard a popping noise shortly before he lost control of the bus and that the back end began to sway. He denied that he was speeding. But the California Highway Patrol said it appeared that speed was a factor.

In addition to Klimeck, whose driving record shows four speeding tickets and two accidents in the past two years, and Starline Sightseeing Tours, the lawsuits also name the state and Mono County as defendants, contending the California Department of Motor Vehicles was negligent in licensing Klimeck and the bus and that the road was not properly maintained.

Meanwhile, another accident was recorded on Klimeck’s driving record Tuesday by the DMV. The collision took place March 28 in Los Angeles while Klimeck was driving a Starline bus, and involved another vehicle and two minor injuries. No fault for the accident was assigned by authorities.