Webb City man sues Joplin R-8 School District, bus driver for 2022 collision

A Webb City man filed a lawsuit against the Joplin R-8 School District and bus driver Henry Pullum Thursday, claiming a 2022 collision at 32nd and Main left him with severe injuries to his "neck and body as a whole."

In his lawsuit, Ryan Moss claims he was stopped at a red light when Pullum, driving an R-8 bus, rear-ended his vehicle.

From the petition:

On or about August 22, 2022, at approximately 6:25 a.m., Plaintiff was stopped at a red light in the southbound lane of South Main Street at its intersection with West 32nd Street in Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri. At all times Plaintiff was stopped in the designated lane for southbound traffic.

At said time and place, Defendant Pullum was also traveling southbound on South Main Street when he rear-ended Plaintiff’s vehicle causing Plaintiff to sustain serious personal injuries.

Defendant Pullum had a duty to the public and to Plaintiff to operate his vehicle in accordance with all traffic laws and in a careful and non-negligent manner.

Defendant Pullum was careless and negligent in the operation of his vehicle in the following respects:

a. In operating his vehicle while distracted and inattentive;

b. In failing to keep a careful lookout for vehicles nearby, particularly Plaintiff’s vehicle;

c. In failing to operate his vehicle in a careful and prudent manner;

d. In accelerating from a stopped position before confirming that the roadway ahead was clear;

e. In failing to timely stop, slow, swerve, or otherwise take evasive action to avoid striking Plaintiff’s vehicle;

f. In failing to maintain proper control of his vehicle;

g. In failing to operate his vehicle in a careful and prudent manner.

10. At all relevant times, Defendant Pullum was employed by Defendant Joplin Schools and was at the time of the crash operating the vehicle within the scope and course of said employment, and, therefore, Defendant Joplin Schools is legally liable for the negligence of Defendant Pullum by reason of respondent superior and/or similar legal theories.

As a direct result of the aforesaid negligence, Plaintiff was severely injured including his neck and body as a whole and incurred substantial expenses for medical care and will incur substantial expense in the future; he has lost wages and will continue to lose wages in the future and his earning capacity has been diminished; he has endured pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life and Plaintiff’s injuries are permanent.

Moss is represented by Andrew S. Buchanan of the Joplin firm of Buchanan, Williams & O'Brien, PC.