Attorneys representing two victims of a tragic train crash in North Tonawanda have taken legal action against the North Tonawanda Police Department and the city. The crash, which occurred last month, claimed the lives of three individuals. The attorneys filed a petition in State Supreme Court in Niagara County on Monday, alleging police negligence leading up to the incident.
The victims who lost their lives in the crash have been identified as 69-year-old David McMinn, 66-year-old Olive Geldart, and 6-year-old Ra’Mari Geldart. The petition states that when McMinn attempted to turn onto Felton Street, his vehicle was obstructed by multiple police patrol vehicles from various agencies, preventing him from completing the turn and forcing him to remain on the railroad tracks at the intersection of Felton Street and River Road.
According to a witness, the pickup truck entered the tracks, and within 20 seconds, the crossing gates came down, resulting in the collision with the train.
On the night of the incident, police were conducting a saturation patrol in the area, with multiple local police agencies cracking down on warrant arrests and conducting traffic stops. It has been revealed that a traffic stop was being conducted in the vicinity just before the crash occurred.
In their petition, the attorneys are seeking access to various pieces of evidence, including police reports, the identities of the police agencies present within a specific radius before and after the incident, photographs, Amtrak train data, area surveillance video footage, body camera recordings, and 911 call recordings. The attorneys had previously filed a Freedom of Information Law request for this information and documentation but were denied.
The filing of this petition marks a significant step in the legal process as the attorneys seek to uncover the truth behind the tragic train crash and hold the responsible parties accountable for their alleged negligence. The outcome of this case will be closely watched by the community as they seek justice for the victims and their families.