Railroad to pay $1.25 million to family of Plainfield man killed in crash
Providence & Worcester Railroad Co. will pay $1.25 million to the family of Rick Cima Jr., an 18-year-old Plainfield man killed in 2009 when his pick-up truck was struck by a freight train, according to a statement issued Thursday by the Reardon Law Firm of New London.
Cima was killed at 7:45 a.m. on Sept. 9, 2009, when his truck was hit by a P&W freight train at the Lillibridge Road crossing in Plainfield, a grade crossing, where there are warning lights and bells but no crossing gates.
“It was determined the train was traveling over the speed limit before the accident and the black box did not show that the train had sounded its horn before reaching the crossing,” attorney Robert I. Reardon Jr. said. “The railroad claimed the black box malfunctioned and the engineer had, in fact, sounded the train horn.”
Reardon, in a statement, said it was the second train fatality case he has handled involving grade rail crossings in Connecticut in the last five years, including one in Waterford in which a grandmother and two small children died.
“The time has come for the state and federal government to mandate the elimination of grade crossings in residential areas,” Reardon said.
The settlement was the result of mediation with Judge Holly Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport. The estate of Rick Cima was represented by attorneys Reardon, Joseph M. Barnes and Kelly E. Reardon.
P&W was represented by Flynn & Wirkus PC of Boston. A representative from the company was not immediately available for comment Thursday.
— Greg Smith
Stories that may interest you

New York officials investigate case of suspected monkeypox
New York health officials are investigating a potential case of monkeypox after a patient tested positive for the family of viruses associated with the rare illness
Runner collapses, dies after Brooklyn half-marathon
A 30-year-old man collapsed and later died after crossing the finish line at the Brooklyn Half Marathon on Saturday morning
$500M available for New England schools for green buses
School districts across New England are now eligible to apply for a portion of $500 million toward the purchase of zero-emissions school buses, which benefit the environment and children’s health
Teen, charged with taking gun to school, held without bail
The second of two teenagers charged with taking a loaded gun to a Boston high school has been ordered held without bail at least until a hearing to determine whether he is a danger to society
READER COMMENTS