Skip to Main Content
Railroad News

Beloved Arkansas Grandmother and Community Leader Killed at Dangerous, Unguarded Union Pacific Crossing

By Pottroff & Karlin LLC |

(Portland, Arkansas – July 3, 2015)

A well-known and long-time resident died just a few minutes before noon Friday morning as she drove her 2009 Toyota westbound across a dangerous and unguarded Union Pacific Railroad crossing on Ashley County, AR Road 53 (Gay Lane) and was struck and killed by a UPRR freight train.

Betty Gay Shuler, 82, whose community service, small business and journalistic career spanned well over half a century of serving her Portland and Ashley County neighbors was clearly headed home as she exited U.S. Highway 165 onto the road named for her family (Gay Lane) as well as numbered by the county (CR 53). Union Pacific Railroad tracks parallel the highway, offering very little vehicular storage space between the rails and the highway, and the victim may not have realized the train was approaching since the crossing is equipped is not equipped with any active warning devices, such as lights and gates.

It is virtually certain that if this crossing was equipped with lights and gates, this accident would not have happened. Both Union Pacific and Operation Lifesaver know that lights and gates are the most effective type of protection at railroad crossings. Studies that have been conducted over fifty years ago confirm that lights and gates offer the ability to drastically reduce the number of vehicle/train accidents by as much as 96%.

Mrs. Gay-Shuler leaves behind four grieving grandchildren as well as four great-grandchildren. She had operated the “Gay Grab Bag” store for three decades, wrote the Portland news column for The Ashley County Ledger for 50 years, helped the community through the writing of numerous government grants for funding of charitable organizations, and served the Portland United Methodist Church as a speaker, Sunday School teacher, youth leader and missionary in both foreign and domestic situations.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by Ashley County Coroner Steve Hartshorn as Arkansas State Police Corporal Mitch Grant served as investigative law enforcement officer. The same crossing was the site of an earlier, non-injury train/vehicle accident in October, 2006.


sb-news-bg

Railroad News



Testimonials

Train crash cases are unique and complex with many different potential pitfalls, such as federal preemption. Anytime I get hired or even get a call from a train crash victim, my very first call is to Nathan’s firm. Nathan’s knowledge and experience in handling and trying cases against these litigation savvy railroad companies gives me the confidence to know that the clients and cases I refer to him are getting the best of the best.

James Perrin Lubbock, Texas

I have had the opportunity to work as co-counsel with Nathan on several railroad crossing accidents cases. In each case, Nathan always possessed an incredible knowledge of the law and the facts, possessed a great talent for aggressive - strategic legal planning and trial tactics while, at the same time, displaying great skill as an effective negotiator. I would recommend him to anyone without hesitation.

Scott McCluen Harriman, Tennessee

Nathan Karlin has my strongest endorsement in the field of railroad crossing cases and personal injury law. I had the pleasure of working with Nathan in a complex railroad personal injury case. I was impressed by Nathan’s knowledge, his work ethic, and his dedication to the client. I look forward to working with Nathan on future injury matters. I am also aware firsthand that he has obtained excellent trial and settlement results in numerous cases involving members of the public harmed by railroad companies.

Joseph M. Miller Mandeville, Louisiana

Nathan is a warrior fighting the railroads. As a fellow personal injury lawyer, I have constantly been impressed with his depth of knowledge and his capabilities from case to case. I’d take him into battle with me any day against the biggest railroads and insurance companies on the planet.

Jon C. Clark Austin, Texas

Bob Pottroff has fought for the victims of the railroads’ callous disregard for safety more than any other attorney that I know. I should know because I am currently Chair-elect of the Railroad Section of ATLA.

Robert Schuetze Boulder, Colorado

Mr. Pottroff has shaken the rail industry to its very roots. Settlements are now more common as a result of the way he has exposed the industry’s wrongdoing.

Mike Easley Arkansas

Bob Pottroff’s work in railroad safety law is unmatched and he has been the source of great advice and phenomenal creativity.

Roger Brown Jefferson City, Missouri

In addition to his substantive contributions to railroad grade crossing safety, I have personally observed his untiring efforts and contributions to improving the integrity of the legal system.

Elizabeth Hardy Lake Charles, Louisiana

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
Testimonials