MONTEVIDEO, Minn. — A Minnesota jury has found a truck driver and BNSF locomotive engineer equally negligent in a suit brought by the engineer over a 2017 collision near Maynard, Minn.
The West Central Tribune reports the jury in Chippewa County attributed 45% of the negligence in the accident to engineer William Schmitz, 45% to truck driver John Bristle, and 10% to BNSF. It said Schmitz deserved $300,000 in compensation as a result of the injuries he suffered in the accident. Under the percentages determined by the jury, District Judge Thomas Van Hon said Schmitz is entitled to $30,000 from the railroad and $135,000 from Bristle. The ruling is stayed 30 days pending appeal.
Schmitz and conductor Steven Sietsema were both transported to the hospital for treatment of injuries following the July 20, 2017 accident. Bristle was not in his truck at the time of the collision and was not injured.
Anyone know what NTSB ruled?
I would guess the jury saw it as a failure to stop situation, though as we here know, stopping was probably not possible.
This story needs more information about the accident.
Agreed. Would love to know how the engineer and BNSF were responsible for a truck being abandoned on the right of way.