Family of teen hit, killed by Metra train in Chicago's northwest suburbs files lawsuit
BARRINGTON, Ill. (CBS) — The family of a teenage girl hit and killed by a train in northwest suburban Barrington earlier this year filed a lawsuit against the train companies and the village.
The Lacson family said they want changes at the pedestrian crosswalk where 17-year-old Marin Lacson died on Jan. 25.
The teen's father, Michael Lacson, said in a video statement he doesn't want his daughter's death to be in vain.
"My family is committed to making a difference to prevent something like this from ever happening again," he said.
The lawsuit names Union Pacific Railroad Company, Metra, the Regional Transportation Authority, and the Village of Barrington.
Police said Marin was on her way to school when she crossed the tracks at Hough and Main Streets after one train passed. Witnesses said the gates were down, but the crossing does not have gates over the sidewalk. Marin didn't see or hear another train coming from the other direction when she was hit by that train and killed.
The lawsuit says the parties named were negligent in making safety changes, especially a pedestrian gate and warning signs at the crosswalk. The crossing is in a quiet zone, meaning operators usually silence horns when approaching or may use discretion if necessary.
"We believe that pedestrian gates certainly would have been a necessary safety requirement that would have saved her life," attorney Jim Pullos said. "There is a standard that needs to be met for the community, and in this particular situation, that just wasn't met."
Attorneys said there has been at least one other fatality at this crosswalk, and an 11-year-old boy lost his foot after being hit at the same crossing under similar circumstances in 2013. His mother had called for pedestrian gates to be put up 11 years before Marin's death.
"It is utterly distressing that basic safety measures were ignored for years and continue to be ignored," Mike Lacson said. "It is even more troubling to learn that no agency or company ever performed any pedestrian safety studies for this crossing."
In a statement, the village said, "The Village of Barrington is aware of a lawsuit, though we have not yet been formally served. In response to inquiries from the media regarding the Village's actions following the accident, we are providing a detailed summary of the immediate steps taken in the aftermath of Marin's tragic passing."
The village submitted a request in February to put up a pedestrian gate at the crosswalk. The village and the railroad companies have yet to provide an update on the crosswalk or the lawsuit.
In addition, the village said it's been using safety monitors at four railroad crossings during arrival and departure times for school. Signage and pavement markings were completed at the crossings in February.