WATSEKA, Ill. (WAND) — A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed in Iroquois County Circuit Court by the widow of a man who was killed when he was hit by a train in Danforth, Ill. earlier this year.
Aaron Pittman-Teague, 23, was in an Illinois Department of Transportation snowplow when he was hit by a train at an unprotected crossing on Jan. 6, 2025.
The lawsuit filed on behalf of the man's widow, Melissa Grimes, named Canadian National Transportation (USA) Limited, Illinois Central Railroad Company, the train conductor, and the train engineer as defendant.
According to the complaint, the crossing has no electronic gates, lights, or adequate warning systems, despite four previous incidents at the same rail crossing.
"This tragedy represents a systemic failure that continues to endanger lives throughout Illinois," said Michael R. Grieco, attorney for the plaintiff. "According to the Federal Railroad Administration, Illinois ranked fifth in the nation for highway-rail crossing collisions in 2024, with over 2,200 casualties occurring nationwide. What's most disturbing is that crossings directly north and south of this location are equipped with gates and lights, while this crossing was left with only a basic crossbuck sign."
The lawsuit alleges the railroad companies knew about the dangers at this crossing but failed to implement adequate safety measures. Since 2016, the Illinois Commerce Commission had previously identified the crossing for safety improvements. Blueprints for a safer crossing were drafted but never implemented before Mr. Teague’s death.
"The evidence in this case shows a clear pattern of negligence," said Charles A. Terry, co-counsel for the plaintiff. "Canadian National is a multi-billion-dollar corporation that chose not to spend approximately 0.0005% of its net worth to install adequate safety devices at this crossing, despite knowing about multiple previous accidents at this exact location."
Grimes shared her devastation over the loss.
"Aaron was just 23 years old and had his whole life ahead of him," said Grimes. "He was out doing his job, keeping roads safe during a snowstorm, when he was killed at a crossing that the railroads knew was dangerous. A simple and small investment in basic safety equipment could have prevented this tragedy and kept our family whole. No family should have to go through what we're experiencing when the solution was so obvious and affordable."
The lawsuit seeks damages under Illinois' Wrongful Death Act and Survival Act for pain and suffering experienced by Pittman-Teague prior to his death, loss of companionship, and other damages.
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