d/o Robert J. & Donna (Carpenter) Easter
Times Online
Wednesday, December 08, 2004 |
VALPARAISO | Donnella and Robert Easter are preparing for their second holiday season without their 17-year-old daughter, Amy.
The young girl and 16-year-old Lucas Travis were killed nearly two years ago when a train slammed into their van at a crossing on Hamstrom Road in Portage.
The accident also seriously injured the couple's then-16-year-old son Mark.
Donnella and Robert relived these painful memories recently when they filed suit accusing CSX Transportation Inc. and the Indiana Department of Transportation of negligence leading to the fatal crash.
The crossing in question, which is located a short distance north of Central Avenue, did not have protective gates at the time of the Jan. 11, 2003, fatal accident, said Merrillville attorney John Hughes, who is representing the Easter family.
Gates and improved flashers were installed at the crossing about 30 days later, he said.
While CSX railroad is responsible for the condition of its crossings, Hughes said the Department of Transportation is charged with determining when improvements should be carried out.
Neither it nor CSX would comment on the suit.
CSX spokeswoman Meg Scheu said company officials sympathize with family members and are active with Operation Lifesaver, which is an educational effort aimed at combating these types of accidents.
Donnella and Robert Easter filed the suit on behalf of themselves and their injured son.
Amy, of South Haven, was driving on the night in question and had stopped to wait for an eastbound train. When the train passed, the vehicle in front of Easter crossed the two sets of tracks. She followed and was struck by a westbound train travelling at approximately 50 miles per hour.
Witnesses said the westbound train's whistle could be heard and the crossing's red lights were still flashing at the time of the crash.
Amy and Travis were pronounced dead at the scene, and Mark was airlifted to the trauma center at St. James Hospital and Health Centers in Olympia Fields, Ill.
He suffered extensive lacerations and broken bones in his right arm and shoulder.
Amy was studying psychology at Ivy Tech State College, and Travis was a sophomore at Portage High School.
Times Online
Wednesday, December 08, 2004 |
VALPARAISO | Donnella and Robert Easter are preparing for their second holiday season without their 17-year-old daughter, Amy.
The young girl and 16-year-old Lucas Travis were killed nearly two years ago when a train slammed into their van at a crossing on Hamstrom Road in Portage.
The accident also seriously injured the couple's then-16-year-old son Mark.
Donnella and Robert relived these painful memories recently when they filed suit accusing CSX Transportation Inc. and the Indiana Department of Transportation of negligence leading to the fatal crash.
The crossing in question, which is located a short distance north of Central Avenue, did not have protective gates at the time of the Jan. 11, 2003, fatal accident, said Merrillville attorney John Hughes, who is representing the Easter family.
Gates and improved flashers were installed at the crossing about 30 days later, he said.
While CSX railroad is responsible for the condition of its crossings, Hughes said the Department of Transportation is charged with determining when improvements should be carried out.
Neither it nor CSX would comment on the suit.
CSX spokeswoman Meg Scheu said company officials sympathize with family members and are active with Operation Lifesaver, which is an educational effort aimed at combating these types of accidents.
Donnella and Robert Easter filed the suit on behalf of themselves and their injured son.
Amy, of South Haven, was driving on the night in question and had stopped to wait for an eastbound train. When the train passed, the vehicle in front of Easter crossed the two sets of tracks. She followed and was struck by a westbound train travelling at approximately 50 miles per hour.
Witnesses said the westbound train's whistle could be heard and the crossing's red lights were still flashing at the time of the crash.
Amy and Travis were pronounced dead at the scene, and Mark was airlifted to the trauma center at St. James Hospital and Health Centers in Olympia Fields, Ill.
He suffered extensive lacerations and broken bones in his right arm and shoulder.
Amy was studying psychology at Ivy Tech State College, and Travis was a sophomore at Portage High School.
d/o Robert J. & Donna (Carpenter) Easter
Times Online
Wednesday, December 08, 2004 |
VALPARAISO | Donnella and Robert Easter are preparing for their second holiday season without their 17-year-old daughter, Amy.
The young girl and 16-year-old Lucas Travis were killed nearly two years ago when a train slammed into their van at a crossing on Hamstrom Road in Portage.
The accident also seriously injured the couple's then-16-year-old son Mark.
Donnella and Robert relived these painful memories recently when they filed suit accusing CSX Transportation Inc. and the Indiana Department of Transportation of negligence leading to the fatal crash.
The crossing in question, which is located a short distance north of Central Avenue, did not have protective gates at the time of the Jan. 11, 2003, fatal accident, said Merrillville attorney John Hughes, who is representing the Easter family.
Gates and improved flashers were installed at the crossing about 30 days later, he said.
While CSX railroad is responsible for the condition of its crossings, Hughes said the Department of Transportation is charged with determining when improvements should be carried out.
Neither it nor CSX would comment on the suit.
CSX spokeswoman Meg Scheu said company officials sympathize with family members and are active with Operation Lifesaver, which is an educational effort aimed at combating these types of accidents.
Donnella and Robert Easter filed the suit on behalf of themselves and their injured son.
Amy, of South Haven, was driving on the night in question and had stopped to wait for an eastbound train. When the train passed, the vehicle in front of Easter crossed the two sets of tracks. She followed and was struck by a westbound train travelling at approximately 50 miles per hour.
Witnesses said the westbound train's whistle could be heard and the crossing's red lights were still flashing at the time of the crash.
Amy and Travis were pronounced dead at the scene, and Mark was airlifted to the trauma center at St. James Hospital and Health Centers in Olympia Fields, Ill.
He suffered extensive lacerations and broken bones in his right arm and shoulder.
Amy was studying psychology at Ivy Tech State College, and Travis was a sophomore at Portage High School.
Times Online
Wednesday, December 08, 2004 |
VALPARAISO | Donnella and Robert Easter are preparing for their second holiday season without their 17-year-old daughter, Amy.
The young girl and 16-year-old Lucas Travis were killed nearly two years ago when a train slammed into their van at a crossing on Hamstrom Road in Portage.
The accident also seriously injured the couple's then-16-year-old son Mark.
Donnella and Robert relived these painful memories recently when they filed suit accusing CSX Transportation Inc. and the Indiana Department of Transportation of negligence leading to the fatal crash.
The crossing in question, which is located a short distance north of Central Avenue, did not have protective gates at the time of the Jan. 11, 2003, fatal accident, said Merrillville attorney John Hughes, who is representing the Easter family.
Gates and improved flashers were installed at the crossing about 30 days later, he said.
While CSX railroad is responsible for the condition of its crossings, Hughes said the Department of Transportation is charged with determining when improvements should be carried out.
Neither it nor CSX would comment on the suit.
CSX spokeswoman Meg Scheu said company officials sympathize with family members and are active with Operation Lifesaver, which is an educational effort aimed at combating these types of accidents.
Donnella and Robert Easter filed the suit on behalf of themselves and their injured son.
Amy, of South Haven, was driving on the night in question and had stopped to wait for an eastbound train. When the train passed, the vehicle in front of Easter crossed the two sets of tracks. She followed and was struck by a westbound train travelling at approximately 50 miles per hour.
Witnesses said the westbound train's whistle could be heard and the crossing's red lights were still flashing at the time of the crash.
Amy and Travis were pronounced dead at the scene, and Mark was airlifted to the trauma center at St. James Hospital and Health Centers in Olympia Fields, Ill.
He suffered extensive lacerations and broken bones in his right arm and shoulder.
Amy was studying psychology at Ivy Tech State College, and Travis was a sophomore at Portage High School.
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