Two people seriously hurt in Oxnard Metrolink crash file lawsuits

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Aerial view of the Metrolink train derailment in Oxnard. The crash occurred at the Rice Avenue crossing, causing three cars to derail and injuring at least 28 people. (Don Kelsen / Los Angeles Times)

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Oxnard police Officer Sarah Shobe removes tape in preparation of reopening Rice Avenue on the morning of Feb. 25, a day after the crash. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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Crews continued to monitor the rail tracks after a night of repairs at the intersection of Rice Avenue and 5th Street in Oxnard. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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The Metrolink track at the intersection of Rice Avenue and 5th Street in Oxnard was operational Feb. 25. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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Salvage crews work on the derailed Metrolink train cars in Oxnard on Tuesday afternoon. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

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Ventura County first responders at the scene of an overturned Metrolink train car in Oxnard Tuesday, after it collided with a vehicle on the tracks. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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An uninjured passenger from the Metrolink train derailment in Oxnard gestures to the media Tuesday, after the train he was riding in colliding with a vehicle on the tracks. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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Ventura County first responders at the scene of an overturned Metrolink train car in Oxnard Tuesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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Firefighters and first responders on the scene of a Metrolink train derailment in Oxnard early Tuesday morning. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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Officials examine a Metrolink train that derailed in Oxnard early Tuesday morning. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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Firefighters inspect a Metrolink train car that derailed in Oxnard early Tuesday. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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Firefighters inspect a Metrolink train car that derailed in Oxnard early Tuesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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A Ventura County first responder at the scene of an overturned Metrolink train car in Oxnard after it colliding with a vehicle on the tracks. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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A firefighter hoses down hot spots after a Metrolink train collided with a vehicle on the tracks in Oxnard early Tuesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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Metrolink passengers wait to be transported after their train derailed in Oxnard early Tuesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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A Ventura County sheriff’s deputy inspects an overturned Metrolink train car in Oxnard early Tuesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

By Dan Weikelwriter

March 11, 2015 4:55 PM PT

Two people who were seriously injured in last month’s Metrolink train crash near Oxnard filed lawsuits Wednesday in Ventura County Superior Court.

The cases were brought by Catherine Solner of Oxnard and Cheryl Hamilton of Port Hueneme, who were riding in train cars that overturned in the fiery collision at the Rice Avenue rail crossing on Feb. 24.

Solner and Hamilton were among 28 people injured when a Metrolink train traveling at 56 mph slammed into a Ford pickup truck and trailer that had turned onto the tracks. The engineer died of his injuries last week.

Named as defendants were the truck driver, Jose Alejandro Sanchez-Ramirez, and Harvest Management LLC, an Arizona produce company he worked for.

According to the lawsuit, Hamilton was hospitalized with a fractured spine, knee injuries and head trauma, including a concussion. Solner suffered head injuries, broken ribs and a fractured collar bone. Both have been unable to return to work.

Attorney Mark Hiepler, who is representing both women, said other defendants could be added to the lawsuits depending on the findings of several ongoing investigations into the crash, including ones by his firm and the National Transportation Safety Board.

The lawsuits are seeking damages according to proof.

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