SANTA CRUZ — Student passengers involved in a fatal crash on a UC Santa Cruz campus loop shuttle last year have filed a civil negligence lawsuit.

On Dec. 12, 2023, shuttle operator Daniel Stevenson veered off Coolidge Drive before crashing into a historic lime kiln on a curve in the road. Stevenson later died of his injuries.

In an incident report finalized and released in August by the UC Santa Cruz Police Department, bus-related mechanical issues with the 1993 Gillig multi-passenger vehicle were not at fault for the crash. The crash’s cause, however, remained unknown, according to the department’s report.

Stevenson worked as a bus driver for the Metropolitan Transit District for 22 years before moving to UCSC as a driver from 2021 to 2023.

Of the five passengers on board, plaintiffs named in the suit, filed Friday in Santa Cruz County Superior Court, include students Kaya Chester, Rahul Nadkarni and Kyle Hinaga. All three were hospitalized for their injuries, according to the filing.

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“Our three clients suffered life-threatening and life-altering injuries,” plaintiff’s Infinity Law Group partner Ilya Filmus was quoted in a media release Monday. “The Regents’ negligence has harmed their lives and we are committed to seeking justice for the students, as well as holding the Regents accountable for their actions.”

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The civil lawsuit is seeking compensation for economic and non-economic damages, as well as prejudgment interest and attorneys’ fees and costs.

The negligence suit notes that Chester had interacted with Stevenson prior to the crash, asking for details about the shuttle’s route. The suit alleges Stevenson was bothered by the questions, causing Chester to ring the bell to get off the bus at the next stop.

Plaintiff Nadkarni allegedly texted a friend a few minutes before the crash commenting on the driver’s alleged fast driving speed and hard braking. He wrote, “Night time loop drivers have a death wish,” according to the lawsuit.