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Midland Wounded Veterans Train Tragedy Report Goes to District Attorney

By Pottroff & Karlin LLC |

(Midland, Texas – December 11, 2012)

The police report produced by the Midland, TX Police Dept. in regard to the November 15 wounded veterans “Show of Support” parade tragedy when four wounded veterans were killed and another 16 injured as a Union Pacific freight train traveling at 62 mph struck a flatbed semi-trailer truck donated by Smith Industries and driven by Dale Andrew Hayden, 50, of Midland, who is both a veteran of Middle East deployment and a truck driver employed by Smith Industries, at the Garfield Street crossing of UP railroad tracks, has been passed on to the Midland County District Attorney’s staff after MPD declined to charge the truck driver for any of his actions that day.

Midland city officials had promised an explanation as to why no charges were filed, but such was still forthcoming as the report was handed off for consideration for filing of charges by County Prosecutor Steve Stallings.

Earlier, a preliminary report on the horrible accident was released by the National Transportation Safety Board, indicating that the train was being operated by a 35-year-old locomotive engineer and a 27-year-old conductor. Neither was named in the NTSB report, but the MPD report finally identified them as Simon Ferrel Terrazas, Jr, the engineer, and Nathan Scott, 27, the conductor, both of whom work out of UP’s terminal in Pecos, TX.

In other Midland wounded warriors parade train tragedy news, Midland merchant Homer Ellinger of Petroscribe has not given up in his hopes to place the five-foot-high, four-foot-wide granite marker he created and hoped to donate to honor those who were killed and injured in the accident after his plan to place the memorial at or near the scene of the collision was rejected. Officials ruled that the monolith could not be placed on private property at the crossing.

A flood of phone calls from supporters of his project have both praised his efforts as well as suggested alternative sites for the stone.

Meanwhile, Ellinger is pursuing a second project: individual markers for each of the families involved in the tragedy.


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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

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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.

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