A routine commute turned into a heartbreaking tragedy at Beaverton Transit Center in Portland when 65-year-old Jonathan Ignatious Edwards became trapped in a train door, sparking renewed questions about safety on the MAX light rail system.
The incident, which occurred in December 2023, has only now been made public, shedding light on how a simple misstep can have catastrophic consequences.
The Horror on the Platform
Disturbing footage released this week shows Edwards disembarking a MAX train wearing a long black trench coat.
At the last moment, he attempted to reboard the train as the doors were closing.
His coat became caught, and despite his desperate efforts to free himself, the train began moving down the platform, dragging him nearly 100 yards.
Emergency crews arrived quickly, but Edwards was left paralyzed from the neck down.
He later died from his injuries 26 days after the accident.
TriMet, the agency running Portland’s trains and buses, declined to release the full video to spare the family further trauma.
Legal Battles and Settlements
In the aftermath, TriMet paid Edwards’ family $830,000, part of efforts to prevent a potential lawsuit.
Separately, his family sued Legacy Emanuel Medical Center for $9 million, citing negligence in his care.
Details of that case remain scarce, but inquiries are ongoing.
Investigating the Train Doors
TriMet conducted a full inspection of all train doors following the incident, including the so-called “sensitive edges” designed to reopen when they come into contact with objects or clothing.
Officials found no faults, leaving many puzzled about how Edwards’ coat could become trapped.
In response, TriMet updated procedures, requiring train operators to step outside and visually check doorways if their view is obstructed.
Public Release of Footage
Journalists from The Oregonian pushed for the footage to be released, arguing the public’s right to understand the incident and raise awareness about transit safety.
After an appeal to the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, the video was released despite the family’s wishes.
Chief Deputy DA Adam Gibbs emphasized that public safety concerns outweighed privacy objections, stating, “The public has a clear safety interest in observing the specific interaction between a TriMet passenger and a MAX train that resulted in the passenger becoming stuck.”
TriMet Responds
TriMet expressed sympathy for Edwards’ family and reaffirmed its commitment to preventing similar tragedies.
“Our hearts go out to the loved ones of Mr. Edwards. This was a unique incident, and TriMet has taken additional steps to prevent this from ever occurring again,” the agency said in a statement.