MARTA Settles Lawsuits In Contractor’s Death For $17M

MARTA and its insurer will pay $17 million to settle lawsuits stemming from the death of a contractor.

Robert Smith of Griffin, 38, was working along the tracks near Medical Center station in June 2018 when a MARTA train struck a vehicle he had been operating. The vehicle then struck Smith, who died from his injuries.

A federal investigation later found human error caused the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board said two MARTA employees failed to follow numerous procedures designed to protect people working along the tracks.

When the NTSB released its report, MARTA said the employees deemed responsible no longer worked for the agency. And it said it had taken steps to improve safety, including additional training and safety briefings.

Smith’s widow, Michelle Smith, filed a lawsuit in Fulton County Superior Court in 2018, saying MARTA was negligent in his death.