On December 19, 2001, Mr. Pietrowski, 37, a lineman for Pacific Gas & Electric was working at a private train crossing near the border of Hercules and Pinole. As he drove over the tracks there were no lights or gates to give him any warning of an oncoming locomotive. His truck was struck by the train, sending it flying into the air. Mr. Pietrowski had no memory of the accident.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. had intended to close the crossing since it was considered unsafe. The railroad acknowledged the planned closing in late October, based on a letter to a ranch owner adjacent to the tracks. The letter stated the crossing would close in 30 days, attorneys said. The train struck Pietrowski's truck 50 days after the letter was written.
Mr. Pietrowski sustained a serious closed head injury as well as burst fractures from T3 to T7, which required a spinal fusion. Mr. Pietrowski stayed in an acute care hospital two months, followed by stays in two rehabilitation facilities over the next seven months. read more...
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