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Trial over fatal 2011 Amtrak collision begins Tuesday
Amtrak and Union Pacific filed suit against John Davis Trucking Company of Battle Mountain claiming negligence. The trucking company countersued claiming the railroad companies failed to properly warn drivers on U.S. 95.
More about the story from the Reno Gazette-Journal here;
http://www.rgj.com/story/news/2014/08/01/trial-deadly-amtrak-truck-crash-starts-monday/13482139/
Lawrence,
An extraordinarily, for this media, cogent statement.
Guessing that it should be a pattern for the UP’s closing statement (argument.)
This took place more than three years ago. Taking three years to hold the trial does not sound like a speedy trial to me.
Having operated an 18 wheeler and driven across that exact RR crossing on hwy, US 95, I can’t imagine any other verdict than against the trucking company. But, beings it’s a trial by jury, it could be that the jury, who are locals, will decide in favor of the trucking company, which is also local, merely because the UP and Amtrak can afford the money. I always expected a train to be crossing or hoped for one.
Most “train accidents” are negligent drivers…
Sounds like John Davis trucking wasn’t too fussy about who it hired. As I remember, the deceased driver’s driving record was somewhat less than stellar. That what a company gets for cheap pay.
The trucking company could save the public a lot of money by owning up to their negligence. I hope Amtrak and the UP win the suit and take the trucking company to the cleaners - before they are able to declare bankruptcy and walk.
Bizarre is too weak a word to describe this lawsuit. Having passed through that crossing on various occasions, I know that it is one of the most visible crossings I’ve ever made. You can see “for miles and miles and . . .” No excuses for that collision can be made, yet the trucker decides to try to blame it on UP and Amtrak. Well, local juries can make some huge mistakes, and that’s probably what Davis hopes for. Furthermore, I suspect that the insurance company that wrote the policy for Davis is bankrolling this meretricious suit, and not the trucker him/itself, in hopes of escaping a huge payout to Amtrak and the estates of those who died. Really a shameful misuse of the courts.
Train vs truck. Who was at fault ? Three years too long to bring to court, and never even should be allowed to be filed in the first place.
The state of Nevada also ought to be sued as well. 70 MPH for a speed limit across the tracks with no warning for drivers to slow down prior to approaching the crossing? TOO FAST! a road speed reduction to at least 60 MPH would be in order, too. Oh, Nevada can’t be sued or they fear losing the money for providing jackpots for the caSINos.