Published on: January 7, 2026, 01:17h.

Updated on: January 7, 2026, 01:31h.

• Injury victim claims negligence due to a broken fence allowing access to railroad tracks
  
• Boyd Gaming and Union Pacific face lawsuit for negligence
  
• Defendants opted not to comment, while the railroad emphasized public safety around tracks

A man from California, who managed to slip through a gap in the fence at Main Street Station and wandered onto adjacent railroad tracks before being struck by a train, has initiated a negligence lawsuit against Boyd Gaming, the casino’s parent company, and Union Pacific Railroad Corp.

Ryan Pettway, who underwent partial amputations of his right leg and left foot following the December 2023 incident, claims in his lawsuit that the defendants neglected to adequately maintain and repair the fence meant to restrict access to the tracks.

Continuous Impact

“The defendants failed to keep the property adjacent to the railroad tracks in a proper state and did not prevent conditions that led to the incident,” the lawsuit, filed on December 23, states, as reported by The Las Vegas Review-Journal.

“Due to the negligence and failure of the defendants, Mr. Pettway faces ongoing and persistent challenges and losses that will likely continue for the rest of his life,” it further states.

Pettway is anticipated to undergo further extensive surgery and will require long-term specialized medical attention, as mentioned in the complaint.

His legal representatives argue that Boyd and Union Pacific should have been aware of the substantial hole in the fence, especially since there was a homeless encampment located on the other side.

In response to inquiries from LVRJ, Boyd opted not to comment on the ongoing litigation and did not disclose whether the fence hole had been repaired.

A representative from Union Pacific also refrained from commenting on the specifics of the case but advised the public to exercise caution near railroad tracks.

“The safety of the communities we serve is our utmost priority,” stated a Union Pacific spokesperson. “We urge the public to only use designated crossings to navigate railroad tracks, refrain from walking on or near the tracks, and to anticipate trains coming from either direction at any time.”

Pettway is pursuing over $75K in damages for past and future medical expenses, punitive damages, and legal fees.

Challenges Ahead

The lawsuit may encounter significant hurdles. Typically, individuals trespassing on railroad property are deemed to be breaking the law, and companies are generally not held liable for injuries resulting from apparent dangers such as moving trains.

The outcome may heavily rely on the extent of liability attributed to Pettway for crossing the fence and entering the tracks, which could potentially restrict or negate any awarded compensation.