The city resident was struck at the Smith Road crossing, officials say
SHIRLEY, NY, (December 30, 2024) - An elderly man from Shirley was fatally hit by a Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) train Saturday night west of the Mastic-Shirley station, according to police.
Robert Audette Jr., age 72, was hit and killed by a Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Saturday night west of the Mastic-Shirley station, according to police.
Officials later identified the victim as 72-year-old Robert Audette Jr.
Based on preliminary reports, an LIRR train was traveling eastbound, approaching the station around 11 p.m., when it crashed into the pedestrian—Audette—on the tracks at the Smith Road crossing in Shirley. Sadly, Audette died as a result of injuries, officials said.
This is an ongoing investigation.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
According to statistics, train accidents cause approximately 2,500 injuries and 600 deaths each year. Train accidents such as this one can occur for several reasons, including train personnel error, train track failure, a mechanical error or malfunction, a signalman error, and reckless actions.
All of these possibilities will be examined by officials during the investigation into the accident. Candice Bond, an experienced train accident attorney, said in cases such as this it's also imperative to have an independent investigation conducted by a seasoned lawyer.
“Train crashes are often complex and many factors can play a role in these types of accidents,” said Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal. “A skilled attorney can protect the family of a victim from train companies, which often send their own investigators to crash sites and possess a variety of resources they can utilize in an attempt to defend their negligence.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the results of any investigations, the family members of Robert Audette Jr. may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. Survivors of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident such as this incident.
Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Newsline, said, “Grieving families of victims are sometimes overwhelmed by the legal processes that are in place to protect their rights. An attorney can be a valuable and compassionate resource to help guide a family during this difficult time, and ensure that those left behind receive the restitution they are entitled to.”
Have you been in a similar accident and need help? Speak to Newsline's national legal analyst Candice Bond now free of charge for a no-obligation consultation
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).