Trial for deadly Chariton County train derailment expected to begin next summer
KEYTESVILLE, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Chariton County judge said Monday that the lawsuits related to the deadly June 2022 train derailment will likely go to trial in August next year.
Lawyers representing Amtrak, BNSF, M.S. Contracting and the employees and passengers on the train met for a virtual hearing and said they anticipate the trial to last three-to-four weeks in Linn County.
During the hearing, lawyers agreed to consolidate eight of the cases into one. However, lawyers believe some of the eight cases could be settled before the August trial start date.
Two of the Federal Employers Liability Act -- which represents cases for federal workers such as Amtrak employees -- have been settled, lawyers said during the hearing, which was conducted via remote video call.
An official with the National Transportation Safety Board told ABC 17 News the final report of the crash could be finished in late summer or early fall.
The Amtrak train was traveling from Los Angles to Chicago with 270 passengers and 12 crew members when derailed in Chariton County. Investigators with the NTSB said Amtrak's Southwest Chief train collided with a fully loaded dump truck at the crossing near Mendon.
The crash left three passengers and the driver of a dump truck dead, while dozens were injured.
During the Monday hearing, lawyers said some of those hurt in the derailment suffered more serious injuries than others and some have not returned to work.
The derailment also brought light to railroad crossing safety in Missouri.
Gov. Mike Parson's office says there is $60 million in funding to improve railroads in the state's 2024 budget. Parson is expected to approve and sign the budget this week.
