An Evergreen Park train conductor is suing a Chicago trucking company and one of its drivers, alleging negligence in a collision involving a truck and a train.
Lethaniel Hood Jr. of Evergreen Park filed a lawsuit Aug. 24 in Cook County Circuit Court against D&L Steel Transport, Inc. and Abdon Valencia, alleging negligence.
On March 30, the complaint states, Hood was the conductor on a train owned by Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF), when the train collided with a truck driven by Valencia and owned by D&L Steel. The suit says the defendants were negligent in driving the truck around downed railroad crossing gates and onto the tracks and crossing railroad tracks when the train passing would be unable to stop and avoid a collision, among other negligent acts or omissions.
The lawsuit says the plaintiff was tossed around in the train, causing him to sustain severe and permanently disabling injuries for which he has incurred medical expenses.
Hood seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus court costs. He is represented by attorney Peter F. Higgins of Lipkin & Higgins in Chicago.
Cook County Circuit Court case number 2015L008640.