A tragic train collision has led to a lawsuit that highlights serious allegations of negligence and premises liability. Andrea Pizano, represented by Carpenter & Zuckerman, filed a complaint in the Ventura Superior Court on September 20, 2024, against the County of Ventura, Angel Gurrola, Union Pacific Railroad Company, BNSF Railway Company, and other unnamed defendants.
The case revolves around an incident that occurred on June 28, 2023. On that day, Pizano was a passenger on an Amtrak train traveling near Los Angeles Avenue and Gabbert Road in Moorpark when the train collided with a vehicle operated by Angel Gurrola. The collision resulted in severe injuries to Pizano. According to the complaint, Gurrola was acting within the scope of his employment with the County of Ventura at the time of the accident.
Pizano alleges that both individual and corporate defendants failed in their duty of care. "Defendants negligently drove, operated, maintained, and otherwise had direct responsibility over their motor vehicle," states the complaint. It further claims that these actions were a direct cause of her injuries. Additionally, Pizano accuses Union Pacific Railroad Company and BNSF Railway Company of failing to maintain safe conditions at the railway crossing where the incident occurred. She asserts that these companies knew or should have known about unsafe conditions but failed to take appropriate measures to prevent harm.
The plaintiff seeks various forms of relief from the court. These include general damages for pain and suffering, special damages for medical expenses and loss of earnings, as well as attorney's fees if applicable. Pizano also demands a jury trial to resolve all causes of action presented in her complaint.
The legal team representing Andrea Pizano includes Lance Behringer and Ross E. Bautista from Carpenter & Zuckerman as well as Oscar H. Gutierrez from Law Offices of Oscar H. Gutierrez APC. The case is identified under Case No.: 2024CUPP030918.