Michael Lukacz Dies in Late-Night Train Collision in Tonawanda NY

clock Created with Sketch Beta. May 15, 2026
Michael Lukacz Dies in Late-Night Train Collision in Tonawanda NY

TONAWANDA, NY, (May 13, 2026) — A 63-year-old man was killed Wednesday night after being struck by an Amtrak passenger train in the Town of Tonawanda, according to local police.

Authorities identified the victim as Michael Lukacz.

The fatal incident occurred shortly after 10:30 p.m. near Sheridan Drive and Military Road. Investigators believe Lukacz was attempting to cross the railroad tracks when he was hit by a passenger train traveling toward Niagara Falls.

First responders arrived at the scene and found Lukacz suffering from fatal injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officials said the Amtrak train was carrying passengers at the time of the collision. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew members aboard the train.

The Town of Tonawanda Police Accident Investigation Unit continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deadly incident.


TRAIN ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

According to statistics released by the Federal Railroad Administration, railroad-related accidents across the United States lead to approximately 950 fatalities and more than 6,500 injuries annually.

These incidents include pedestrians, trespassers, railroad workers, passengers, and motorists involved in highway-rail crossing collisions.

Federal Railroad Administration accident data indicates that these crashes may result from multiple causes, including human mistakes, faulty tracks, equipment malfunctions, signal failures, communication problems, and unauthorized access to railroad property.

Candice Bond, an experienced train accident attorney, noted that investigators will carefully review all contributing factors while emphasizing the need for an independent legal investigation.

“Train crashes are frequently complicated events where numerous factors may contribute to the accident,” said Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal.

“An experienced attorney can help safeguard the victim’s family from railroad companies that often deploy their own investigative teams and extensive resources in an effort to limit liability. Legal counsel can assist by securing expert witnesses, identifying witnesses to the incident, reviewing insurance policies, and providing guidance throughout the legal process while protecting the family’s rights and interests.”


WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM

Pending the results of the investigation, the family of the victim may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim. Relatives of wrongful death victims may seek compensation for loss of companionship, emotional suffering, pain, and other damages following a tragic accident such as this one.

“The grief and emotional burden following the loss of a loved one in a serious accident can be devastating,” said Stefano Formica, Of Counsel with Bond Legal. “We recognize the difficult challenges families face during these times, and ensuring their legal rights are protected is extremely important. A wrongful death attorney can monitor the official investigation and work to protect the family’s best interests throughout the legal process.”


(This report is based on verified data - learn more on our About Us page.)


If you or a family member have been involved in a situation similar to this article and would like to speak to our national legal analyst Candice Bond free of charge, please use the contact information found on this page

(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Accident Injury News can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-986-7738 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).

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