Cedar Falls Woman Injured After Falling Out of Party Bus

Shianne Reisner, 21 of New Hampton, suffered a severe concussion after falling out of a party bus Saturday evening at the intersection of Lincoln Street and Independence Avenue in Cedar Falls, according to a police report.

Police say the bus was travelling westbound on Lincoln Street when it went around a slight curve and, as passengers lost their balance, Reisner was pushed into an exit door that gave-way and she fell out as the bus was moving. There were about 30 people on board and some were dancing in the aisles as the bus was moving.

Passengers alerted the driver, Laveta Root, 40, who was unaware anything had happened and drove back to the scene, according to the report.

Resiener suffered a severe concussion, a broken finger and road rash on her entire body. She was released from Allen Hospital on Sunday morning, reported the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier.

The bus belongs to Dolly’s Party Bus, but no charges have been filed as the case is still under investigation. Police seized the bus for further investigation.

Nick Sorbe, manager of Dolly’s Party Bus, would not comment on what happened or the typical behavior of emergency exit doors because the case is still under investigation. He says the company buses do have hand rails and overhead rails for safety and that occupants are told dancing in the aisles is allowed but they should take caution.

All safety warnings, Sorbe said, are included on the contract that a person in charge of the party signs.

Cory Gleason, of Burge Party Bus in Des Moines, says that emergency doors are not supposed to open if someone falls or even pushes the door. There is a safety latch that when released is supposed to set-off a buzzer to alert the driver.

Gleason says the Department of Transportation requires a pre-ride safety inspection all around the bus which includes inspection of the emergency exits.