Woman Sues CTA For $200K After 'Ghost Train' Crash

A 65-year-old woman is suing the CTA for $200,000 for the "permanent physical injuries" she and her 4-year-old granddaughter suffered after the Sept. 30 crash on the CTA Blue Line in Forest Park. 

Bethena Davis and her granddaughter were passengers in the first car of the westbound train stopped at Harlem Avenue in Forest Park, according to court documents. They both suffered "permanent physical injuries and will in the future continue to suffer great pain and mental anguish," the suit reads.

Davis' lawyer, Peter Delongis of Oakbrook Terrace told the Wednesday Journal that Davis suffered bruises and sprains to her hips, thigh and lower back, and that her granddaughter is still receiving treatment for injuries to one arm.

Davis, who is financially responsible for the four-year-old girl, is asking for $100,000 and court costs for her injuries and expenses and $100,000 plus court costs for her granddaughter's injuries and expenses, according to the document. 

The National Transit Safety Board is investigating the un-manned "ghost" train's collision with another train near the Harlem Avenue Blue Line station in Forest Park. 

The accident occurred at 7:43 a.m. on Sept. 30, when a four-car, out-of-service train left a rail yard in Forest Park and hit a stationary train occupied by about 40 people near Harlem Avenue. Officials said 33 people were injured. No injuries were life-threatening. 

• Report: NTSB Considers 'Emergency Recommendation' to CTA
• Media Reports: No One On Train That Crashed Near Harlem
• CTA Investigating Why Train Started Moving From Rail Yard, Caused Crash
• Injury Count Dropped to 33 in Blue Line Crash