LISBON, Ohio -- A Salem man who caused two trains to collide and derail after he stood on the tracks last July 2 must pay Norfolk Southern $4,127 to compensate the railroad company for its damages, the East Liverpool Review reported.
In an entry filed this week in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court, Judge David Tobin wrote that he neglected to determine the issue of restitution when Gary D. Smith, 58, of Rose Avenue, appeared in court June 19.
At that time, Smith pleaded guilty to interference with the operation of a train, a fourth-degree felony charge, and was granted his motion for treatment in lieu of conviction, meaning if he completes four years of treatment, the case will be dismissed. Both the prosecution and his defense attorney attributed his actions to his use of alcohol and drugs.
Tobin found that the train company sustained an economic loss as a result of the accident and set the amount to be paid.
The accident caused the derailment of eight cars and the closing of several crossings in Salem after a westbound train stopped due to Smith being on the tracks and a second westbound train struck the first train from behind.
(The preceding article was published July 1, 2009, by The East Liverpool Review.)
