Thursday's deadly collision happened at a Metra station, officials say
BERWYN, IL, (August 22, 2024) - A 93-year-old woman was struck and killed by an Amtrak train near Berwyn Thursday evening, according to authorities. The Cook County Medical Examiner identified her as Nellie Brennan.
Nellie Brennan, age 93, lost her life after being hit by a train at a Metra station near Berwyn Thursday evening, authorities said.
Based on preliminary reports, Brennan was hit at approximately 5 p.m. at a Metra station. Tragically, she died from external multiple injuries, the medical examiner's office said.
Details about what happened leading up to the crash were not clear.
The investigation is underway.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Train accidents such as this can occur for several reasons, including train personnel error, train track failure, a mechanical error or malfunction, a signalman error, and reckless actions.
According to the National Transportation Safety Bureau (NTSB), approximately 1,000 people are killed in train-related accidents each year. During the probe, investigators will also examine if the crash site was made safe for the pedestrian crossing.
Candice Bond, an experienced train accident attorney, said that in cases such as this, it is imperative to have an independent investigation conducted by a seasoned lawyer as soon as possible to preserve evidence for a victim's family.
“A skilled attorney can protect a grieving family from powerful train companies, which often send their investigators to crash sites and possess a variety of resources they can utilize to defend a negligent party,” said Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family members of Nellie Brennan may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain, suffering, and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident.
“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” said Stefano Formica, Of Counsel with Bond Legal.
“A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that the victim's legal rights and best interests are protected.”
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(Candice Bond, Managing Partner, and Stefano Formica, Of Counsel, at Bond Legal, are the national legal analysts for Newsline. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).