Five days after a tractor trailer rig slammed into the side of a passenger train north of Fallon, an AMTRAK employee has filed the first lawsuit related to the crash. The lawsuit filed in Washoe County charges the driver, Lawrence Valli, and his employer, John Davis Trucking of Battle Mountain, with negligence. Valli’s truck slammed into the side of the train as it sped through a crossing on US95. Investigators say it appears the crossing’s signals were working at the time. Valli and five people on the train died in the accident. The suit was brought by 38 year old Alexandra Curtis, an AMTRAK attendant who was working in the car behind the one hit by the truck. Her attorneys say she suffered injuries to her back and arm, but still managed to help evacuate passengers from the train. They say she now also suffers from post traumatic stress disorder. Curtis’ Reno attorney, Bill Bradley, says although the investigation is far from complete, there’s still ample evidence to put the blame on the driver and his employer or to file a lawsuit. “This victim as well as many other victims have a lot of questions that without the involvement of a law firm they’re having a difficult time in getting any answers.” Bradley noted Valli and the trucking company had both been cited for safety violations in the past. “This was a tragedy waiting to happen,” he said.
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First Amtrak Crash Lawsuit Filed in Nevada