Settlement reached in death of woman killed in train crash

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) — Norfolk Southern and the state of South Carolina have settled a lawsuit with the estate of an 81-year-old woman killed in a train crash in Orangeburg almost four years ago.

The Times and Democrat of Orangeburg reports (http://bit.ly/1ClulNN ) that court records show a settlement was reached last month with the estate of Susan Weatherford.

The estate will receive $155,000 because of the 2011 death of Weatherford. She was a passenger in a car struck by a Norfolk Southern train after the car got stuck at a grade crossing in Orangeburg.

The lawsuit contended that both the railroad and the state knew the grade crossing was dangerous but took no action to correct the problem.

Under the settlement, Norfolk Southern will pay $95,000 and the Department of Transportation $60,000.

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Information from: The Times & Democrat, http://www.timesanddemocrat.com