Second Multimillion Dollar Judgment Awarded In Amtrak Derailment

DUPONT, WA — A federal jury has awarded a second, multi-million dollar lawsuit to a passenger severely injured in the 2017 Amtrak derailment near Tacoma. NW News Network reports Madeline Garza, of Maple Valley, will receive $4.5 million for "pain, suffering and future medical care." At the time of the crash, Garza was just 18 years old and suffered a broken pelvis and spinal injuries.

Wednesday's verdict follows a $17 million judgment awarded to three passengers in September. Three people were killed and more than sixty injured when an Amtrak passenger derailed during its first run on a new route on December 18, 2017. A National Transportation Safety Board investigation found an engineer failed to see a 30 mph speed sign and took a turn at 78 mph.

According to NW News Network, more than 35 passengers have sued for damages, and another trial scheduled to begin next week in Tacoma.