Just one week before their scheduled return to college, two young women lost their lives when a train derailed in Ellicott City, Maryland, killing them both. They had been tweeting about being on a railroad bridge just minutes before.
Evidently, the women, both 19 and longtime friends, were seated at the edge of a bridge over Main Street when the train passed by. It derailed just a few feet behind them.
The CSX Company wrote in a statement: “Two young women tragically lost their lives in a train accident this morning near Ellicott City, Maryland. CSX wishes to offer its sincere condolences to their families.”
The tragic train accident in Ellicott City occurred around midnight on August 21. Evidently 21 of the 80 cars on the freight train derailed.
Investigators, including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), are now gathering facts to determine the cause of the train accident that buried both of the young women in coal. So far investigators have learned that an emergency brake did activate automatically. This type of automatic activation is typical in situations when a break in the airline of the train occurs.
Just three crewmembers were on board the train at the time of the Ellicott City train accident, including the conductor, engineer, and a training engineer. They noticed nothing unusual during the time leading up to the derailment.
Obviously, investigators will be seeking to determine if human error was a contributing factor to the train accident.
Jonathan Scott Smith is an experienced Howard County personal injury lawyer. Mr. Smith represents clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases involving accidents throughout Maryland and the Baltimore area. He is a top-rated accident lawyer, with over 30 years of courtroom experience.
As you can see by his background, Mr. Smith is an experienced, respected, and credentialed trial attorney. He has successfully handled personal injury and wrongful death cases, including Howard County accidents, for over three decades. He fights hard for his clients. That’s why many satisfied clients think so highly of him.
Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results in accident and other cases — has earned him the recognition of his peers, with an AV® Preeminent™* Peer Review Rating in the Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating process, and a 10.0 Superb AVVO rating. These are the highest ratings possible for legal skill, ethical practice, a lawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition.
Experienced Personal Injury Attorney in Columbia, Maryland
Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith represents clients who have suffered injuries and tragic losses in accidents caused by another. To contact our law firm, please call (410) 441-5054 or contact us online. Put the skill and experience of a former prosecutor to fight for you.