Fenton, IL (April 26, 2020) – On Saturday, April 25th, authorities responded to the scene of a deadly collision involving a Burlington Northern Train and a passenger vehicle in Fenton Township, Illinois. The Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene of the crash at the intersection of Smit Road and Moline Road at around 12:35 p.m. According to initial reports, a 65-year-old Erie man was traveling north on Smit Road when his vehicle was struck by a train while crossing the railway track.
The train hit the driver’s side of the car directly, and the driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The front-seat passenger, a 16-year-old woman, was airlifted by MedForce to Iowa City in critical condition. The identities of the victims have been withheld at this time.
Local authorities are currently investigating the cause of the accident.
We would like to offer our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased victim at this time. Our thoughts are with the injured victim and her family in hopes of a full recovery.
Fatal Train Accidents in Illinois
The US Department of Transportation claims that there are nearly 5,800 train-car collisions reported annually nationwide. A majority of these accidents take place at railway crossings. Around 600 people are killed and nearly 2,300 are injured each year in these collisions.
A wrongful death lawsuit can be brought by a family member when a loved one has died due to the negligent behavior of another person. There are many potential situations that may warrant a wrongful death suit, including a car accident, medical malpractice, or even nursing home negligence. Illinois state law allows a victim’s family or estate to recover compensation in the event of a wrongful death.
If you believe that your loved one’s death may have been caused by another person’s negligence, you need to consult with an experienced Illinois wrongful death attorney. Kent M. Lucaccioni, Ltd. will make sure that your interests and legal rights are protected. Contact our offices today at 877-930-2551 if you’ve lost a loved one due to the negligence of another.
Note: As a result of the secondary sources that were used to complete this post, the information included within has not been independently verified by our own staff and may include misinformation. If you read something that, to your knowledge, is incorrect, please contact us as soon as possible and we will correct the inaccuracy.
Disclaimer: As members of the local Chicago and broader Illinois community, we hope everyone in our community is safe and protected. We cover the events included in this blog as a way to offer support to the victims in similar circumstances and to provide relief during these difficult times. This is not a solicitation for business, and this information should not be misconstrued as medical or legal advice. You should speak with a trained legal professional for more information regarding your situation. The photographs depicted in these posts are not representative of the actual accident scene.
