CLEVELAND — The driver of a dump truck involved in a Cleveland grade-crossing accident that killed a Norfolk Southern conductor has pleaded not guilty to vehicular manslaughter.
WOIO-TV reports driver Ryan Hundley entered the plea Thursday in an appearance in Cleveland Municipal Court. Bond was set at $10,000.
The March 7 accident occurred shortly after 1 a.m. at a grade crossing on the grounds of the Cleveland Cliffs steel plant. Conductor Louis Shuster was killed when struck by the dump truck as he rode a tank car during a shoving move at the plant; the preliminary National Transportation Safety Board report indicates the truck and train entered the crossing at the same time [see “Train, truck entered grade crossing simultaneously …,” Trains News Wire, March 22, 2023].
Shuster’s death, along with the Feb. 3 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and other incidents, led the NTSB to announce a special investigation into Norfolk Southern safety practices later in the same day as the fatal accident [see “NTSB launches special investigation …,” News Wire, March 7, 2023]. The Federal Railroad Administration subsequently announced its own review of the railroad’s safety practices.
Alan, The victim cannot spend it anyway.
His family (survivors), can.
Truck driver needs a lawyer who knows RRs. Only lawyer that can a lesser charge than manslaughter. Verdict is important to allow truck company to possibly pay less damages to victim.
Why would you want the victim’s family to receive less money. Trains have the right of way. The trucker did not yield and is at fault.