Koch v. Southern Pacific Company

This is an action brought by plaintiff, through his guardian, for damages for personal injuries suffered when an automobile in which he was a passenger was struck by defendant’s train at a grade crossing. Defendant Southern Pacific appealed from a judgment for plaintiff entered pursuant to a jury verdict.

The accident occurred during daylight at the intersection of Thurston Road and defendant’s railroad track near the city of Springfield in Lane County. Thurston Road is a narrow, two-lane, hard-surfaced country road which rims north and south. Defendant’s track runs in a southeasterly…