GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. (AP) _ A jury found CSX Transportation negligent in the 2008 death of a north Florida teenager who was fishing from a railroad bridge.
The Florida Times-Union (http://bit.ly/N1jNX7 ) reported Friday that jurors awarded 17-year-old Wesley Whiddon’s family $1.6 ;million in damages.
CSX officials say they “respectfully disagree” with the decision. They called the teen’s death a complete tragedy.
Officials say Whiddon and two friends were fishing from the trestle in May 2008 when the train approached.
The teens ran toward the end of the 150-foot trestle where they could jump off rather than plunging 50-feet into the water.
Whiddon was hit as he was about to jump to the ground.
The family claimed the speeding train’s crew made no attempt to slow down, even after seeing the teens.
