Grieving Widow Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit After Snowplow-Train Collision

The widow of a 23-year-old Illinois Department of Transportation employee has filed a wrongful death lawsuit following the tragic death of her husband in a collision with a train. Her lawsuit names Canadian National Transportation (USA) Limited, Illinois Central Railroad Company, the conductor and engineer of the train as defendants in the lawsuit. The collision occurred on January 6, 2025, at an unprotected railroad crossing in Danforth, Illinois.

According to the lawsuit, the decedent was operating a snowplow during hazardous winter conditions when his vehicle was struck by a train traveling at approximately 55 mph at the East 2300 North Road crossing. The complaint alleges that the crossing lacked electronic gates, lights, or adequate warning systems, despite the fact that four incidents occurred previously at the same location.

Statistically, the State of Illinois isn’t doing well when it comes to highway-rail crossing collisions. Our state ranks fifth in the nation when it comes to train collisions. Nationwide, there were 2,200 casualties related to train crossings. The lawsuit alleges that the crossings directly north and south of the location were equipped with gates and lights. The crossing where the decedent was killed only had a crossbuck sign.

According to the lawsuit, the railroad companies were aware of the dangers but failed to implement safety measures. Since 2016, the Illinois Commerce Commission identified the crossing as needing improvements, and blueprints for a safer crossing were drafted but not implemented.

The plaintiff believes that the case shows a clear pattern of negligence. They accused Canadian National, a multi-billion-dollar company, of choosing not to spend 0.0005% of its net worth to install adequate safety devices at the crossing, despite knowing there were multiple previous accidents there.

The plaintiff, who is the appointed Independent Administrator of her husband’s estate, expressed heartfelt devastation over the preventable nature of her husband’s death. “Aaron was just 23 years old and had his whole life ahead of him,” she said. “He was out doing his job, keeping roads safe during a snowstorm, when he was killed at a crossing that the railroads knew was dangerous. A simple and small investment in basic safety equipment could have prevented this tragedy and kept our family whole. No family should have to go through what we’re experiencing when the solution was so obvious and affordable.”

Her lawsuit seeks damages under Illinois’ Wrongful Death Act and Survival Act for the conscious pain and suffering the decedent experienced prior to his death. In addition, she is seeking damages for the loss of companionship, consortium, and other damages.

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Source:

foxillinois.com/news/local/illinois-widow-files-wrongful-death-lawsuit-after-snowplow-train-collision