Home US Family of a woman pushed to her death in front of a San Francisco train launched an explosive attack on city leaders

Family of a woman pushed to her death in front of a San Francisco train launched an explosive attack on city leaders

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Corazon Dandan, 74, was pushed in front of a moving Millbrae-bound train at Powell Street station in San Francisco by career criminal Trevor Belmont, 49, on July 1 at 11:06 p.m.

The family of an elderly woman who died when she was pushed into an oncoming train have now sued public transport for failing to keep it safe.

Corazon Dandan, 74, was pushed in front of a moving Millbrae-bound train at Powell Street station in San Francisco by career criminal Trevor Belmont, 49, on July 1 at 11:06 p.m.

The push caused the operator to hit her head on the train and fall onto the platform. She was soon pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Her family is now arguing in a wrongful death lawsuit that Belmont was banned by the Bay Area Rapid Transit Direct system because he repeatedly jumped the payment gate – but the transit system did not have enough security staff to enforce the ban. the San Francisco Standard reports.

The family also argues in the lawsuit filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court for Northern California that BART “enables heinous crimes to occur” on its platforms and trains, and is a “complete failure” when it comes to undertaking action for safety. according to KTVU.

“We are trying to hold BART accountable for its failure to protect my aunt,” said Dr. Alvin Dandan Wednesday at a news conference announcing the lawsuit.

“Through this case, we hope that what happened to my aunt will never happen to anyone else,” he said. “In her name and in her memory, we would like to see justice.”

They are seeking damages for wrongful death, elder abuse, dangerous condition of public property and survivor’s claims, and called on the transportation agency to “take responsibility for its negligence, address all wrongdoing set forth herein that led to Corazon’s death and to improve safety’. for all riders’ CBS reports.

Corazon Dandan, 74, was pushed in front of a moving Millbrae-bound train at Powell Street station in San Francisco by career criminal Trevor Belmont, 49, on July 1 at 11:06 p.m.

Her family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the transit system

Her family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the transit system

In the federal lawsuit, the family notes that Belmont — who also went by the name Hoak Taing — was arrested 27 times in the Bay Area over the past two decades.

He was even convicted of lewd conduct at the Lake Merritt station and ordered to stay away from all BART stations for three years.

But Belmont managed to get onto the Powell Street station platform on the night of July 1, while Dandan was on her way home to Daly City from her job at Parc 55 Hotel in Union Square, where she had worked for 30 years.

No motive was ever given for Belmont’s attack on Dandan.

“Something has to change,” Alvin said, adding that he hopes his “aunt’s death was not in vain.”

“I wish we could rebuild this city to what it once was.”

The lawsuit goes on to argue that public transportation has failed to improve safety over the years, stating that the issue is especially concerning for members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, who are “disproportionately targeted of public transport’.

Corazon was returning from work on July 1 when Belmont attacked her

Corazon was returning from work on July 1 when Belmont attacked her

No motive was ever given for the attack, but Belmont had a long criminal history

No motive was ever given for the attack, but Belmont had a long criminal history

It cites a November letter from state and community leaders to California Gov. Gavin Newsom highlighting BART’s safety problems.

BART general manager Robert Powers is pictured. The lawsuit accuses the transit system of failing to ensure its safety

BART general manager Robert Powers is pictured. The lawsuit accuses the transit system of failing to ensure its safety

The letter includes a 2023 safety survey that found zero percent of Asian American and Pacific Islander respondents described the transit system as “very safe,” while 78 percent were concerned about becoming victims of crime on the trains.

“I saw my sister the week before she died and was concerned for her safety because she used BART every day late at night,” said Dandan’s youngest brother, Reynaldo Dandan.

‘My worst fears have come true.’

Then, two days after Corazon was killed, state and local officials wrote to Newsom requesting the deployment of California Highway Patrol officers to train stations to prevent similar incidents.

“This lawlessness must stop,” said attorney Nanci Nishimura.

“BART has long been aware of the need for improved safety and protection.”

The lawsuit also emphasizes that Dandan’s death “is not an unforeseeable accident, but rather a direct result of the violence BART ignored during their statins and enabled by his negligent conduct.”

Dandan came to the United States from the Philippines on her own, her cousin said

Dandan came to the United States from the Philippines on her own, her cousin said

At the press conference, Alvin took the opportunity to speak about his aunt.

He said she came to the United States on her own from the Philippines and was an operator for Westin hotels in her home country.

She was then able to get a similar job in San Francisco, at St. Francis and later at Parc 55.

Corazon often offered her home to visitors for free, Alvin said, and everyone at the hotel where she worked knew her because she “cooked a boatload of food for dinner” and brought it to those who worked with her on the night shift.

She didn’t even have to work anymore, but kept going because she loved her job.

“She had a lot to live for, and a lot of kindness she wanted to give, but it was taken way too soon,” Alvin said.

Her killer is now charged with one count of murder and one count of causing great bodily harm to a vulnerable person, with the prosecutor adding a special circumstance of lying in wait.

He must appear in court again on February 11.

DailyMail.com has contacted BART for comment.

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