Family Seeks Justice After FAMU Legend Dies in 2022 Bus Fall

A Family's Fight for Justice After a Tragic Bus Incident

A family in Tallahassee is seeking accountability after their loved one, Dennis Jefferson, passed away in December 2022 following an incident on a City of Tallahassee bus. Jefferson, a Florida A&M University Football Hall of Famer and veteran, was known for his contributions to the community and his passion for visiting college campuses, especially FAMU.

The family has been struggling to settle Jefferson’s estate, as the city has spent significant taxpayer funds defending against a lawsuit filed by his son, Antonio Reddings. Reddings is not just fighting for financial compensation but is also pushing for the city to take responsibility for its failure to ensure passenger safety on its buses.

“This case is about more than money,” Reddings said. “It’s about the city taking responsibility for what happened. The whole community should say, stop with the nonsense, take care of that. Let’s move on. Put those people at ease. Let those people go on with their life.”

Reddings’ legal team presented evidence showing that the bus driver failed to wait for all passengers to be seated before pulling away. A video provided by the family’s lawyer, Cynthia Myers, shows the driver pulling away while Jefferson, who was carrying a cane and a bag, was still standing. Moments later, he fell, and a woman nearby exclaimed, “Oh my!” The driver then pulled over to assist Jefferson.

“My father started deteriorating immediately after the fall,” Reddings explained. “He couldn’t stand up. He had a headache and couldn’t stand upright.” According to Myers, the fall led to a hematoma that required hospitalization. Jefferson eventually passed away in the hospital, with the medical examiner citing respiratory illness and an acute on chronic subdural hematoma as the cause of death. The injury was described as possibly caused by an undocumented fall, likely on the bus.

Myers also noted that Jefferson suffered from slight dementia, which worsened after the fall. She believes the city is spending more taxpayer money on legal defense than it would cost to settle the claim. The family could recover up to $300,000, she said.

The legal battle has revealed some troubling details. Training records showed that the bus driver had acknowledged they were not supposed to start driving until all passengers were seated. However, court filings indicate that the city denies any responsibility for Jefferson’s death. The city’s response includes possible defenses such as suggesting Jefferson may have been more at fault, failing to use medical insurance to mitigate damages, and unreasonable medical bills.

“These paragraphs regarding [Jefferson’s] prior health, activities, and demeanor are not relevant to this wrongful death action and should be stricken from the complaint,” the city wrote in the court filing. The city’s lawyers also claimed that no acts or omissions of the city caused Jefferson’s death.

Despite these claims, the family continues to push for justice. They believe the city’s actions have caused unnecessary suffering and stress for the family. WCTV reached out to City Clerk James Cooke, but he declined to comment on behalf of the city due to ongoing litigation.

Jefferson’s son shared that his father was an elderly man who often took the bus around town. He was known for his love of FAMU and his time playing football there. The family hopes that through this legal battle, the city will learn from its mistakes and improve safety measures for all passengers.

As the case continues, the family remains determined to seek the truth and hold the city accountable for its role in their loss. Their fight serves as a reminder of the importance of safety and responsibility in public transportation.