ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Union Pacific Railroad has been sued by a Chicago woman who was injured and whose husband was killed in a traffic pileup in eastern New Mexico. Janet Dutler has filed her claim in federal court in Albuquerque, televsion station KRQE in Albuquerque reported.
The 12-car pileup on Interstate 40 near Cuervo killed seven people and injured 16 last March 8. New Mexico Fire Marshal George Chavez has said that a burning railroad tie was a likely factor in a smoky brush fire that hampered visibility on I-40 at the time of the crash.
Families of five other people killed in the pileup filed a federal lawsuit May 21st against the railroad. They allege the fire started by rail workers created the smoke that caused the crash. Union Pacific alleges factors other than the smoke contributed to the pileup.