Utahn died in Amtrak crash; lawsuit filed by attendant

RENO, Nev. — A Utahn was among the six people killed when a semi truck crashed into an Amtrak passenger train about 70 miles east of here Friday.

Nevada Department of Public Safety-Highway Patrol Division said Tuesday that the Washoe County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office has identified the victim as 34-year-old Cheuy Ong, of West Jordan, Utah.

Efforts to reach the victim's family for comment Tuesday were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported that an Amtrak train attendant has filed the first lawsuit over the crash.

The suit, filed by Alexandra Curtis of Evanston, Ill., on Tuesday in Washoe County District Court, alleges negligence in her injuries on the part of truck driver Lawrence Valli and his employer, John Davis Trucking Co.

Valli, who was killed in the wreck, is accused in the lawsuit of ignoring railroad crossing gates and warning signals, and plowing into an Amtrak train.

Federal investigators have not determined the cause of the crash. Authorities have said about 20 people were injured in the crash.

Company owners did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Curtis' lawyers also filed an emergency motion for a protective order in the case to preserve potential evidence.

She's seeking in excess of $10,000 for general damages.