Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS — The families for four young people killed in a 2003 car-train crash in Anoka say they’ve settled their case against Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad for $29 million. The settlement is one of Minnesota’s largest wrongful death awards.
BNSF executive John Ambler says the railroad has no plans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Attorneys for the families argued the crossing gate wasn’t working properly when 20-year-old Brian Frazier drove across the railroad tracks in Anoka. A freight train struck Frazier’s car, killing him, 20-year-old Corey Chase, 19-year-old Harry Rhoades and 17-year-old Bridgette Shannon.
The Star Tribune (http://bit.ly/KBYgXF ) says a jury awarded the families $21.6 million in 2008. A judge later added millions more in sanctions against the railroad for trying to cover up its role in the crash.