State settles University of Iowa Cambus lawsuit seeking $1M for $68K

IOWA CITY — Nearly six years after a University of Iowa Cambus slipped on icy roads in Coralville and veered into the oncoming lane — hitting another vehicle and injuring the woman inside — the state has agreed to settle a lawsuit over the crash for $68,000.

Yoland Parker, 48, of Iowa City, sought through a tort claim $1 million to cover her injuries, according to a letter from Assistant Attorney General Adam Kenworthy to the State Appeal Board, which approved the much lower settlement Wednesday.

“The plaintiff alleged she suffered injuries resulting from the accident to her knee, neck, and back,” according to Kenworthy. “Plaintiff was seeking to recover damages for past and future medical costs, past and future loss of function, lost wages, and pain and suffering.”

Parker originally sued both the Cambus driver and the state in its governance role over the university and its Cambus operation. But she later dropped the driver from the suit, given the state is “responsible for any negligence” on his part, court documents show.

The incident happened at 2:38 p.m. on an overcast Dec. 28, 2018, on Oakdale Road near Terra Lane in Coralville. With temperatures hovering below freezing — and mist or light snow drizzling throughout the day — Parker accused the driver of going too fast for the conditions and then failing to maintain control of the bus.

In response, the state denied culpability and said Parker was “comparatively at fault.”

A trial was set for Sept. 13 — before the two sides reached a settlement.

Parker had planned to call as witnesses physical therapists who could testify the crash caused or exacerbated her condition and that she likely will need future treatment due to her injuries.

Vanessa Miller covers higher education for The Gazette.

Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com