Families sue Union Pacific, Amtrak over deaths at Oregon rail crossings

By Jim Greene

Published on January 11, 2006

The families of Elfriede Murrell Fernando and Bedolla-Huerta say that, in addition to compensation for their losses, they want to pressure Amtrak and Union Pacific to make changes to protect pedestrians and bicyclists.

Murrell, 62, was killed when she walked across the tracks in front of an Amtrak train on June 28, 2004. Bedolla-Huerta was killed when he bicycled across the tracks in front of a Union Pacific freight train on July 18, 2004. The two incidents occurred a block apart and within three blocks of the state capitol building and Williamette University.

The corridor through central Salem has one of the worst safety records in the nation, with 30 deaths since 1993. The plaintiffs allege that, while improvements have been made which have greatly reduced the danger to vehicular traffic, not enough has been done to protect pedestrians and bicyclists.

The lawsuits accuse Amtrak and Union Pacific crews of negligence for operating trains at speeds too high for an area full of schools, business, and government building, and their respective employers for not requiring lower speeds. The suit also charges Union Pacific, the owner of the track and right-of-way, with negligence for not making physical changes to improve public safety along the tracks.

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