Suit in Fatal Nevada Amtrak Crash Says Door Locked

September 16, 2011

Another lawsuit filed against Amtrak in the fatal crash with a truck in Nevada this summer blames a locked door on the train for making the disaster worse.

An Amtrak waitress and a cook filed the negligence suit in Washoe County District Court against Amtrak and the company that owned the semi that hit the train, killing six.

Evelyn Johnson and Ronald Werkenthien, both of Illinois, say they tried to escape through a door leading to a baggage car but it was locked under new rules.

Another Amtrak attendant told a similar story in a suit in July. Lana Dickerson said she was trying to lead passengers from the burning train but they had to double back past dead bodies and jump out a window because the door was locked.

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