(The Associated Press distributed the following article on July 4.)
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — A lawsuit has been filed against the Union Pacific Railroad and a U.P. employee seeking damages from a 1999 accident involving a company vehicle.
City Councilwoman Rita Hernandez filed the lawsuit Tuesday in Lincoln County District Court. She is seeking $118,738 in monetary damages and $100,000 for the loss of past and future earnings.
According to the lawsuit, on Aug. 26, 1999, Hernandez’s car was struck by a U.P.-owned Jeep Cherokee driven by Mary Broad.
The lawsuit claims that Hernandez suffered severe and permanent injuries resulting in medical expenses totaling $13,738.
The lawsuit accuses Broad of negligence in operating the vehicle, failing to keep the vehicle under control, driving faster than was appropriate, failing to sound any warning, failing to yield the right of way and failing to stop for the yield sign.
Broad and U.P. spokesman John Bromley said Wednesday that they had not seen the lawsuit and could not comment.