HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – A lawsuit filed in Florida alleges that a dangerous CSX train crossing was responsible for a collision that claimed the lives of six people.
Guillermo Gama III filed the lawsuit on July 9 in Hillsborough County Circuit Court against CSX Transportation Inc., as well as several individuals, including Joseph Lane, Leonel Mendoza, Rebeca Mendoza, and Jose Santamaria.
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The case arises from a collision on September 23, 2023, in Plant City when a train operated by CSX struck an SUV carrying Gama and several others.
The complaint alleges negligence on the part of the defendants for failing to maintain safe conditions at the railroad crossing where the accident occurred.
The late Jose Hernandez was driving on a single-lane gravel road at the time of the incident. The crossing, which allows trains to travel up to 79 miles per hour, lacked essential safety features like flashing lights or gates. Instead, there was only a stop sign at the crossing.
The lawsuit further claims that the CSX train failed to sound its horn as it approached the intersection.
Gama is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 for bodily injury, pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and other related losses. He is represented by Michael Finegan of Carman, Bevington & Finegan.
Deceased in the crash:
- Driver: Jose G. Hernandez, 52
- Rear Passenger: Enedelia Hernandez, 50
- Rear Passenger: Jakub A. Lopez, 17
- Rear Passenger: Alyssa Hernandez, 17
- Rear Passenger: Anaelia Hernandez, 22
- Rear Passenger: Julian Hernandez, 9
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