#United States #Chicago #Corboy & Demetrio #School Bus #Jenna Menias

Corboy & Demetrio Files Lawsuit for the Family of Jenna Menias

On October 3, 2026, Corboy & Demetrio, a Chicago-based law firm, initiated a wrongful death lawsuit against two school districts following the tragic death of six-year-old Jenna Menias. The young girl was struck and killed by a school bus mere seconds after being dropped off by the vehicle operated by Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210. This incident happened on September 8, 2026, and has raised serious questions about transportation safety protocols in the associated districts.

The Incident

Jenna, a second grader enrolled at Frankfort School District 157-C, was being transported home when the fatal accident occurred. The bus was operated under an intergovernmental agreement between the two school districts involved. The lawsuit targets both districts as they allegedly failed to uphold the safety standards essential to protect young students like Jenna.

Daniel S. Kirschner, a partner at Corboy & Demetrio and the family's legal representative, stated, "Districts 210 and 157-C had every opportunity to prevent this unimaginable tragedy from happening to Jenna, and they failed her and her family at every turn." He emphasized that numerous safety measures were disregarded both by the bus driver in real-time and by the districts charged with ensuring student safety.

In the weeks leading up to the incident, Jenna's mother raised concerns regarding the bus drop-off procedures with District 157-C. According to her, the set process left Jenna alone and vulnerable, hundreds of feet from their home, and left her to cross the street without sidewalks or marked crosswalks. Despite raising these issues, her requests for changes were denied by the district.

This lack of response was not an isolated incident; Jenna's mother had previously made similar requests regarding transportation for her son, which also went unaddressed. Such negligence raises alarming questions about the schools' commitment to the safety of their students.

Investigation into the Circumstances

Preliminary investigations revealed that the driver during the incident was a substitute who had just recently acquired his school bus license and had never previously navigated this drop-off route. Video footage captured onboard during the incident shows a disturbing scene: Jenna was visible on the roadway in front of the bus when the driver, neglecting to check his mirrors or the front windshield, proceeded to move forward, fatally striking her. The footage additionally depicted the driver reading a piece of paper, indicating a dangerous lapse in attention.

Kirschner articulated, "Jenna's death was not only preventable, but it was also entirely foreseeable. An inexperienced driver was put behind the wheel of a school bus filled with young children, driving an unfamiliar route with protocols that were known to be unsafe."

Compounding the tragedy, internal communications from District 210 disclosed that just hours prior to the accident, there had been internal discussions about staffing shortages, hinting at widespread operational issues within the transportation department.

Seeking Accountability and Change

This lawsuit was filed on behalf of the Menias family, seeking answers and accountability from both school districts while emphasizing their commitment to ensuring that such a tragedy does not happen again to any other family. Kirschner stated that the Menias family aims to bring about change and reinforce the imperative of operating with heightened safety for all students in the future.

The case, listed as Case 2026L011354, was filed on September 22, 2026, in Cook County Circuit Court. The family, devastated by their loss, hopes this legal action will shed light on the critical need for improved safety measures.

For media inquiries or further information regarding this case, representatives of Corboy & Demetrio can be contacted through the numbers listed in their press release.

In conclusion, the tragic story of Jenna Menias serves as a grim reminder of the importance of vigilance in ensuring the safety of children in school transportation. This case highlights the necessity for accountability and improved safety protocols to protect future generations.