Federal lawsuit vowed in Colusa bus crash

A Sacramento law firm says it will file a federal lawsuit against Colusa Casino Resort stemming from the fatal bus accident on Lone Star Road east of Williams.

Attorney Anthony Palik said Friday he plans to file the wrongful death and negligence lawsuit next week in U.S. District Court in Sacramento on behalf of the Vang family of Sacramento, whose 68-year-old relative, Lou Her, died in the Oct. 5 accident.

The exact damages sought by the family are under consideration, Palik said

"But, obviously in the tens of millions," he said.

Palik said his firm is talking with six other crash victims' families and expects more to join the suit.

Palik said he thinks casinos should regulate bus companies because the casinos benefit from the business they bring.

"And benefit runs with burden," Palik said. "The casino is benefiting but doing nothing to make sure the bus is legal."

Palik said he does not have proof of a contract, but said he believes there was a substantial relationship between the bus company, Cobbs Bus Service, and the casino.

Cobbs had been listed on the casino's Web site as one of the bus companies that served the casino. It has since been removed.

The Web site page warned, "Bus companies are independently owned and operated. Colusa Casino Resort assumes no responsibility for bus company operation, safety or service."

Eight people were killed in the crash and a ninth victim died last week

The driver, Quentin J. Watts, is in custody at Deuel Vocational Institution in Tracy on a parole violation for allegedly driving without a proper license.

"We have not been served with any lawsuits and, therefore, have no comment regarding any recent legal action," said Don Kennedy, the casino's marketing director, in a prepared statement. "Our thoughts continue to be with the families affected by the accident."

A phone call to Forman and Associates, the San Rafael-based law firm representing the casino, was not returned.

Contact Tri-County Newspapers reporter Rob Parsons at 458-2121 or at rparsons@tcnpress.com. TCN reporter Lydia M. Harris