Family Reaches $21 Million Settlement in Cottey College Bus Fatality Lawsuit

A $21 million settlement has been reached in a wrongful death lawsuit filed against Cottey College following a fatal pedestrian collision, according to court documents filed in Jackson County Circuit Court. The agreement resolves litigation stemming from an October 2024 incident in which a pedestrian was struck by a bus operated by the defendants.

Court records indicate that the plaintiffs, identified as James Joerke and others, finalized the settlement with the defendants on October 6, 2025. The lawsuit, originally filed in January 2025, alleged that the decedent was walking in a pedestrian crosswalk on October 19, 2024, when she was struck by the vehicle. According to the filing, the victim succumbed to her injuries on October 21, two days after the collision.

The plaintiffs were represented by attorneys David Mayer and Reed Martens of the Kansas City firm Monsees & Mayer. In a statement regarding the resolution, Martens noted that the settlement amount represented the full policy limits available in the case. Counsel for the defense remained confidential in the settlement report.

Civil Litigation Resolution

The resolution of this case prior to the scheduled trial underscores the significant financial liability associated with commercial vehicle accidents involving pedestrians. By settling for the reported $21 million policy limits, the parties avoided the unpredictability of a jury verdict in Jackson County Circuit Court. This outcome illustrates a common trajectory in high-value wrongful death claims where liability evidence is substantial, prompting defendants and insurers to mitigate risk through pre-trial agreements rather than facing potentially uncapped damages in open court.