KEYTESVILLE, Mo. — A Hemet, Calif., man has become at least the third Amtrak employee to file suit against the passenger carrier over the June derailment of the Southwest Chief.
KMIZ-TV reports Matthew Rafferty has filed suit against Amtrak and MS Contracting, owner of the truck that was hit at a grade crossing, derailing the train, in the June 27 accident that killed four people. The suit argues Amtrak is negligent because it operated trains although it knew the grade crossing near Mendon, Mo., was dangerous, while the truck owner was negligent because its driver failed to exercise caution at the crossing.
The driver of the truck and three passengers were killed in the collision and derailment.
Rafferty’s suit said he suffered back, neck, and other injuries when thrown against a window on the upper level of the train’s second sleeping car, and that he suffers from depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Toss…