Carbondale, IL (July 29, 2020) – Authorities have reported that a woman was fatally struck by a train in Carbondale. The accident occurred on Monday afternoon, July 27. Officials from the Carbondale Police Department were dispatched to the site of the accident at around 12:15 p.m. Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene of a crash involving a pedestrian and a train on S. Illinois Avenue.
According to witnesses from the scene, the woman was walking across the tracks as the train was traveling north. The train was unable to stop in order to avoid striking the woman, who was pronounced dead at the scene by responding paramedics. The deceased victim was later identified as 40-year-old Holly Stanley of Carbondale.
The Grand Avenue crossing and College Street crossing were both closed while investigators were present at the scene. At this time, the cause of the crash is still unknown. No further updates have been provided.
An ongoing investigation into the accident is being managed by local law enforcement officials. More details will be released as it continues.
We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of Holly Stanley at this time.
Deadly Train-Pedestrian Accidents in Illinois
The leading causes of death on American railways are collisions involving pedestrians. In typical motor vehicle accidents, pedestrians are greatly disadvantaged. In accidents involving massive and fast-moving trains, the resulting injuries are often fatal. Since 1997, an estimated 7,200 pedestrians have been killed on railroads in the United States. Another 6,400 pedestrians were injured in train-pedestrian accidents. On average, 500 pedestrians are killed in these collisions each year.
The grief and devastation of losing a loved one due to another’s negligence are nearly unbearable. Surviving family members often take on damages resulting from the accident, and they may be able to recover lost compensation by pursuing a wrongful death claim with the help of an experienced Illinois personal injury attorney. In an Illinois wrongful death claim, a representative of the decedent’s estate — usually a close family member — seeks damages from those at fault for the person’s death to obtain compensation for damages.
At Kent M. Lucaccioni, Ltd., we understand the grief and pain that families experience when a family member is killed. While no amount of money can bring back a lost family member, an Illinois wrongful death lawsuit can help families address the financial difficulties associated with the accident. Our legal team is dedicated to making sure that each of our clients recovers the compensation they deserve after losing a loved one. Contact our offices today at 877-930-2551 to see what our Illinois wrongful death lawyers can do for you.
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.
