2 Suits Allege Negligence by Burlington in Train Crash

Two lawsuits--one by the family of one of the commuters who died last month in the Placentia train accident and the other by a surviving commuter--have been filed against Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, which operated the freight train that smashed into a Metrolink train.

The suits allege negligence and willful disregard for the safety of the 270 Metrolink passengers. One of the lawsuits, filed in Santa Ana by passenger V’Londa Arlice Taylor, states that other claims should be joined in the same suit.

The second suit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court by the family of Lawrence Sorensen, a 48-year-old engineer from Riverside. He was one of two passengers killed.

At least one other lawsuit has been filed since the crash. Metrolink conductor Patrick Phillips, who suffered a brain hemorrhage in the crash, also blames BNSF in a suit filed May 1.

Following the crash, the freight train engineer told authorities he was blinded by the sun when he missed a yellow warning signal and failed to slow down in time to stop at a second light, which was red.

The suits allege that BNSF knew about such risks but refused to install safety systems that would prevent such crashes.

The auto-brake collision system automatically stops a train if it passes a warning light. Only a few rail lines in this country have installed the braking systems. The railroad industry and federal regulators have opposed mandating installation until the technology is refined and the $3-billion price tag is reduced.

The National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the Placentia crash, said the accident could have been prevented had the anti-braking system been in place.

Sorensen’s parents, Ken and Lillian Sorensen of Calimesa, are suing BNSF and Metrolink for a list of damages. The Sorensens were on a Hawaiian cruise celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary when they were notified of their son’s death.