Pedestrian hit by NS on Amtrak line

[BIG AMISH]

POKAGON TWP., Mich. (WNDU) - Cass County Police report that at approximately 1:28 p.m. Wednesday in Pokagon Twp. deputies investigated a fatal accident involving a train and a pedestrian.

It happened on the Amtrack rail system approximately one half mile south of Pokagon Hwy. A Norfolk Southern train traveling north came across the pedestrian, 46-year-old John Paul Merritt of Niles, on the traveled portion of the tracks. Merritt did not yield for the train and was struck. He was pronounced deceased at the scene from injuries sustained in the accident.

Deputies were assisted on scene by the Pokagon Tribal Police, Pokagon Fire Department, Amtrack Police, and the SMACS Ambulance Service. The incident remains under investigation.

[Doktor No]

I hate it when they don't yield to the train....

[SousaKerry]

I hate it when they can't spell Amtrak correctly.

[NYCMan]

Don't worry, you can be certain that his next-of-kin will spell Amtrak correctly on the lawsuit that they file against them. And, sadly, Amtrak will pay. All because Amtrak was operating their train "negligently" such that it could not stop on a dime in case an innocent pedestrian was out there somewhere.

When will people ever learn? The TRAIN ALWAYS WINS!

[coasterrider]

Well since it was an NS train involved,we shall see what happens. Sure Amtrack will be involved but how much can they get Amtrack for? After all it was the nasty freight train.

[Saturnalia]

Well since it was an NS train involved,we shall see what happens. Sure Amtrack will be involved but how much can they get Amtrack for? After all it was the nasty freight train.

Since Amtrak is responsible for the infrastructure, such as crossing equipment, site security, etc, it would be their "fault", not NS.

Granted, the courts have been pretty good AFAIK tossing out lawsuits made by individuals struck by trains in cases where said person was trespassing or violated/ignored posted/active warnings.

[justalurker66]

Go ahead sue "Amtrack" ... the National Rail Passenger Corporation is Amtrak.

[firemedic54]

Hearing now about a pedestrian getting hit in Monroe at Kentucky and 3rd St. Have no confirmation on injuries or what's going on.