Donations are being sent to the lead conductor on the Amtrak train that crashed in Philadelphia earlier this month. A CrowdRise page was created to raise money for medical expenses for Emilio Fonseca. As of Wednesday the page has raised $9,210, 18 percent of their $50,000 goal.
Fonseca, of Kearny, filed a lawsuit against Amtrak, claiming negligence and carelessness on the part of the rail carrier. Eight people were killed in the May 12 derailment and more than 200 injured. The complaint accuses Amtrak of “negligence and carelessness.”
The Amtrak train from Washington to New York derailed as it passed through Philadelphia. Investigators have said the train was traveling over 100 mph just before it entered a curve where the speed limit is 50 mph.
Fonseca’s attorney Bruce Nagel says his client suffered a broken neck, broken back and other serious injuries in the crash. The CrowdRise page features photos of a bloody Fonseca wearing a neck brace while lying in a hospital bed.
Fonseca was in the first car of the train at the time of the derailment, according to Nagel. He was in a bathroom at the time, which likely saved his life.
Nagel said Fonseca managed to get out of the train and remembers standing in a field, telling people to watch out for electrical wires. He also says his client hasn’t spoken with investigators yet and could be hospitalized for several weeks.
Four passengers have also sued Amtrak, which has said it doesn't comment on pending litigation.
