Last week's fatal train crash with Amtrak that resulted in the death of dance instructor Katie Lunn could have been prevented if safety mechanisms had not been deactivated, according to the Chicago Tribune. A Federal Railroad Administration spokesman confirmed that "the active warning system did not function" when Katie Lunn's SUV was broadsided at a railroad crossing and resulted in the fatal train crash.
A more recent article in the Chicago Tribune reported that a Canadian National (CN) Railway technician who had been working at the site had tried to save the woman when he saw she was in danger, but didn't get to her in time. An investigator requesting anonymity was quoted in the article:
"[The technician] was traumatized as much as someone can be traumatized that he didn't get there in time, and that [Katie Lunn] was so innocent.''
No legal actions stemming from the incident have been reported, but Chicago injury lawyers most likely are following this developing story. The investigation is still ongoing, but any findings of negligence on the part of CN railroad staff may have serious personal injury liability implications.
The CN track crew unintentionally shut off the gates and warning signals at the University Park railroad crossing while conducting maintenance, but failed to reactivate them in time, investigators said. An Amtrak passenger train with four cars, traveling at about 79 miles per hour, went through the crossing and struck Katie Lunn's vehicle.
Cars had been stopped at the crossing because of a stop light on the road ahead, with the 26-year-old woman's SUV on the tracks, but not aware of the oncoming train. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators are very confident that the accident is the direct result of human error, as one anonymous investigator told Tribune reporters:
"[Canadian National] didn't do it right. There is speculation as to why they did what they did, but an accurate picture will emerge at the end of our investigation.''
Related Resources:
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CN: Crossing Lights, Gates Not Working at Time of Crash (Southtown Star)
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Contact a Chicago Accident Attorney (FindLaw)
