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TexasTowelie

(111,288 posts)
Mon May 13, 2019, 10:50 AM May 2019

Jury awards millions to family of man killed in 2013 collision with BNSF train

The family of a man killed in a 2013 collision with a BNSF train at a railroad crossing was awarded $6.3 million by a Pawnee County jury.

Richard Knight of Edmond died in the ensuing explosion and fire after his vehicle was struck by a BNSF train on May 8, 2013. The jury found BNSF guilty of reckless disregard for safety concerning the railroad crossing in Lela, seven miles west of Pawnee, where Knight was killed, according to a news release.

Knight’s view was reportedly obstructed by old BNSF-owned structures on railroad property next to the tracks, and at least eight accidents had occurred there before his death.

Jurors issued a $9 million judgment while placing 70% of the blame on the railroad, hence the award to Knight’s family of $6.3 million.

Read more: https://www.tulsaworld.com/news/state-and-regional/jury-awards-millions-to-family-of-man-killed-in-collision/article_a45f3340-d5bb-5343-ba37-7dafe60688b1.html

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Jury awards millions to family of man killed in 2013 collision with BNSF train (Original Post) TexasTowelie May 2019 OP
I'm not sure I would have given that award Vogon_Glory May 2019 #1
As the OP says, the jury found the driver 30% liable More_Cowbell May 2019 #2

Vogon_Glory

(9,084 posts)
1. I'm not sure I would have given that award
Mon May 13, 2019, 11:15 AM
May 2019

I’m not sure I would have given that award. Grade crossings are inherently dangerous places and I’ve seen more than a few drivers either blast on through them or even stop without looking, even when the trains move fast and there’s a lot of rail traffic. This is just about as true for grade crossings owned by Amtrak, state commuter agencies or private corporations.

I feel sorry for this guy’s family or friends, but I wonder if he stopped, looked, or listened in the final few minutes of his life. If he had, he might still be alive.

More_Cowbell

(2,190 posts)
2. As the OP says, the jury found the driver 30% liable
Mon May 13, 2019, 12:49 PM
May 2019

I couldn't find one story that had all the details, but a few stories add more. Eight accidents had occurred at this crossing, which was marked with a sign but no bells, lights, crossing gates, etc.

The railroad had already admitted that one of its old buildings blocked drivers' view of oncoming trains. But it made its lessee, a small family business, responsible for taking down the building. It took the family a few years to raise the $50k to demolish it. Of course, that would have been a drop in the bucket (and I wouldn't be surprised if it would be deductible) for the railroad.

Ironically, the driver was driving a big rig to carry the back hoe that was used to demolish the building.

Cases like this are meant to make companies do the right thing instead of make the common decision, which we've all seen before, to avoid paying a small price to avoid a big danger.

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