Bend-La Pine Schools and one of its bus drivers are being sued by a man who says he was struck by a school bus while standing in the special left turn lane on SE Third Street.

Richard Ceccanti is asking the district for up to $241,582.62 to compensate him for his injuries and to cover medical expenses. According to a complaint filed in Deschutes County Circuit Court on May 7, the accident happened on the morning of Sept. 29, 2014. Ceccanti was crossing from the east side of Third Street to the west near Wilson Avenue, a distance which covers five lanes. While crossing, the complaint alleges, Ceccanti stopped in the left turn lane to wait for traffic to clear.

According to the lawsuit, as Ceccanti stood in the turn lane, Steven Gudgel, a Bend-La Pine bus driver, turned left onto Third Street, entering the turn lane. Instead of stopping in the turn lane, Ceccanti alleges, Gudgel traveled down the lane, striking Ceccanti, who lost consciousness during the accident.

As a result of the accident, Ceccanti says he suffered a skull fracture, concussion and hearing loss.

Bend-La Pine’s attorney, Lucas Reese, declined to comment.

Ceccanti and his attorney, Andrew Mathers, are claiming Gudgel failed to follow traffic rules, including those governing the use of left turn lanes, and is therefore to blame for the accident.

Mathers did not return a call for comment.

The school district’s representation is being provided through Property and Casualty Coverage for Education, an insurance provider formed in 2006 by the Oregon School Boards Association and Special Districts Association of Oregon.

Bend-La Pine Schools recently closed another lawsuit, agreeing to a settlement with former Bear Creek Elementary Principal Matt Montoya.

Montoya sued the district after he was fired, alleging he was discriminated against based on his age and race. Montoya said the settlement was for $210,000, though the district would not confirm that figure.

The district also faces a lawsuit from a Cascade Middle School teacher, who left the district after complaining about illegal practices at the school.

Kim Mortenson, most recently a media studies teacher, filed the lawsuit in May 2014 asking for about $1 million.

— Reporter: 541-633-2160, tleeds@bendbulletin.com

Editor’s note: This story has been corrected. The original version misstated details about Mortenson’s departure from the district.