Berkeley Mother Sues Railroad and MoDOT After Daughter's Death

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The mother of Ashley Hogan, a 35-year-old woman killed in a train-car collision at a railroad crossing in north Berkeley, Missouri in December 2024, has filed a lawsuit against the railroad company that operates the line and the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). The lawsuit alleges negligence in the maintenance of the crossing and failure to complete recommended safety upgrades.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns over safety at railroad crossings, particularly those without active warning devices like gates and lights. The lawsuit could shed light on responsibility for maintaining and upgrading crossings, as well as the role of state transportation agencies in overseeing railroad infrastructure.

The details

According to the lawsuit filed in St. Louis County, Hogan was killed on December 24, 2024 when her car was struck by a train at the intersection of James S. McDonnell Boulevard and Banshee Road in north Berkeley. The suit alleges the railroad company was negligent in how it maintained the crossing, and that MoDOT failed to require or complete safety upgrades that had been recommended for the site.

• The fatal crash occurred on December 24, 2024.
• The lawsuit was filed in St. Louis County this week.

What’s next

If the case moves forward, it will enter the discovery phase where lawyers will exchange records and take depositions to determine if the dispute is headed for a settlement or trial.