Woman who wore headphones, family is suing Trimet for her death

[Nate Dogg]

Seriously? Does anybody still cross a two way street, wear ear phones, look down in case theres a car coming? Wow, I hope this woman's family gets almost nothing for her stupidity.

A police investigation found that Sydney Meryl Coleman, 24, of Aloha was was wearing headphones when she inadvertently walked in front of the train, and the westbound MAX operator did everything possible to avoid the fatal collision with a pedestrian.
Coleman died Feb. 26, 2010, at West Baseline Road and Southwest 175th Avenue.

Besides wearing her headphones, she was walking with her head down, investigators said.

But in Friday's filing in Multnomah County Circuit Court, Coleman's estate argues that her death was the result of TriMet failing to properly cutback vegetation and provide adequate warnings about the crossing's dangers.

I know its a human life and I shouldn't be mean or cras. But she set up her own life for the outcome of her fate.

source: http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2012/02/trimet_sued_for_3_million_in_2.html

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Of course she isn't entitled to anything. In the end, there will be an out of court settlement. I deal with this stuff every day. It's called legal extortion.

 

[magnifier661]

I'm not gonna tred lightly on this at all. Fuck her and stupid bitch died because she is a fucking stupid bitch. How dare the family even sue for this bullshit. I hope they all spend tons of money and get nothing in return. I hope that family suffers for 3 generations. FUCK THEM!

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Well, the thought is that she left behind a kid and that elicits sympathy from juries about college... and so they usually give something.

 

[magnifier661]

So what? There are thousands of solders in the middle east dying that left behind kids too. So shall we all pitch in and give them something too? I hate the legal system sometimes!

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I'd rather give the family $3 million then spend the $1 Billion on the Max Line to Milwaukie.

 

[RR7]

I'm not gonna tred lightly on this at all. Fuck her and stupid bitch died because she is a fucking stupid bitch. How dare the family even sue for this bullshit. I hope they all spend tons of money and get nothing in return. I hope that family suffers for 3 generations. FUCK THEM!

jesus. you can complain about her parents or family trying to get money, but calling her a fucking stupid bitch is kind of pathetic.

 

[Ed O]

I ride the bus in Seattle regularly, and it's shocking how many (almost invariably young) people obliviously (or intentionally) get in front of the bus.

Clearly few, if any, of them intend to get hit or die, but a system that rewards people for not paying attention is a system that is hard to maintain.

Ed O.

 

[PapaG]

Darwin was right on at least a few things.

 

[PapaG]

but calling her a fucking stupid bitch is kind of pathetic.

She may have been a nice person, which probably makes the "fucking bitch" part by Mags a bit harsh, but on any level, walking over MAX tracks without looking is about as stupid as stupid gets.

 

[MARIS61]

Of course she isn't entitled to anything. In the end, there will be an out of court settlement. I deal with this stuff every day. It's called legal extortion.

Actually, the law refers to it as criminal negligence, gross negligence, endangering the safety of others, and sometimes manslaughter.

Tri-Met has killed dozens of pedestrians and riders in a myriad ways primarily because they're too cheap to erect safety barriers and warning signs, properly train their drivers, and put into place an adequate security force to combat crime on their lines.

They'll settle because they're guilty.

 

[MARIS61]

So what? There are thousands of solders in the middle east dying that left behind kids too. So shall we all pitch in and give them something too?

If they get hit by the MAX, yes.

If someone they are trying to kill kills them in self defense, I can't really fault them for that. They are invaders after all, killing people in their homes.

 

[MARIS61]

Darwin was right on at least a few things.

Maybe not.

TriMet has failed to evolve at all in my lifetime, despite killing people like clockwork for decades.

 

[magnifier661]

jesus. you can complain about her parents or family trying to get money, but calling her a fucking stupid bitch is kind of pathetic.

Gotcha!!!!!! I was wondering who would jump on me. Had a feeling it was gonna be you.

 

[Natebishop3]

Actually, the law refers to it as criminal negligence, gross negligence, endangering the safety of others, and sometimes manslaughter.

Tri-Met has killed dozens of pedestrians and riders in a myriad ways primarily because they're too cheap to erect safety barriers and warning signs, properly train their drivers, and put into place an adequate security force to combat crime on their lines.

They'll settle because they're guilty.

"Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are the views of MARIS61, a fictional message board character created for my amusement, and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of any real person alive or deceased."

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Actually, the law refers to it as criminal negligence, gross negligence, endangering the safety of others, and sometimes manslaughter.

Tri-Met has killed dozens of pedestrians and riders in a myriad ways primarily because they're too cheap to erect safety barriers and warning signs, properly train their drivers, and put into place an adequate security force to combat crime on their lines.

They'll settle because they're guilty.

Thanks, Mixum.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Of course she isn't entitled to anything. In the end, there will be an out of court settlement. I deal with this stuff every day. It's called legal extortion.

Right, those poor insurance companies getting exploited by the general public and plaintiff lawyers. Not that an insurance company would ever use their leverage to exploit plaintiffs to settle for little money or spend tens of thousands to go to trial where they can get a fair settlement. Insurance companies are as ruthless if not more ruthless than plaintiff lawyers and you know it.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Right, those poor insurance companies getting exploited by the general public and plaintiff lawyers. Not that an insurance company would ever use their leverage to exploit plaintiffs to settle for little money or spend tens of thousands to go to trial where they can get a fair settlement. Insurance companies are as ruthless if not more ruthless than plaintiff lawyers and you know it.

Well, you have as much of a jaded and warped viewpoint as Mixum. So what would be the point of an honest discussion.

You're a poster boy for being an ignorant sheep. And that's a shame as I'd love to give you the real answer but it's just hit shit.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

As for this case, investigators from the state investigating a quasi-state company to determine if they are responsible. And sounds like they determined no. It should end with that right? Or maybe Trimet does have some responsibility when operating these multi-ton vehicles throughout the city and suburb neighborhoods. Maybe its possible that people cross tracks without paying attention and society would be best served if trimet took some precautions to try and prevent these potential deaths. Maybe trimet owned property that they didn't maintain and ignored. Maybe that property grew grass and weeds that obstructed the view of the train. Maybe there is a city ordinance that requires that you maintain your property and cut any vegetation that might obstruct the view of on coming traffic.

Point is all we know about this case is what state investigators say. If they are the end all be all of what is right and wrong, then she has no case. But I'm guessing there is another side.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Well, you have as much of a jaded and warped viewpoint as Mixum. So what would be the point of an honest discussion.

You're a poster boy for being an ignorant sheep. And that's a shame as I'd love to give you the real answer but it's just hit shit.

I'm poster boy for being an ignorant sheep . . .OK.

Would hate for you to have to hit shit?

Love you too BP

 

[Sinobas]

I drive through that intersection all the time, and Tri-Met has really improved it since the accident. There was a lot of vegetation in that corridor , which they've pruned.

The also installed a little gate that a pedestrian would have to open before crossing the tracks (which hopefully, will get people to pay attention).

Light rail trains are very quite compared to freight trains. I can see how someone might have spaced out and walked across the tracks. I think it's pretty mean spirited to call her names and say she deserved to die. She probably was just spacing out.....