Metro-North crash victim's sister still struggling, but finds voice 1 year later
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Monday marks the one-year anniversary of the worst Metro-North disaster in the rail line's history.
It was a Sunday, a day that Linda Smith remembers like it was yesterday. She lost her sister, Donna, that day, and was sitting right beside her when the accident happened.
Donna was one of four people who died, with 60 others injured.
"When people say you need to live every moment like it could be your last, it's like, it so easily could have been both of us," she said.
The siblings were riding on that doomed train, which derailed in the Bronx last December. Linda wasn't injured.
"I can't say I've truly forgiven the whole situation," she said. "I'm learning to live differently, but I'm definitely still living."
Donna was killed as the train barreled around a curve going nearly three times the speed limit.
One year later, Linda was at Avery Fisher Hall for a dress rehearsal for a concert produced by DCINY.
It's the exact same place the women were suppose to be at one year ago, for Linda to perform while Donna to sit in the house as a spectator.
Instead, on the ride in, the front car of the train they were riding in ended up sideways.
Linda spotted Donna's red coat, face down outside the train. Now, she rarely rides Metro-North.
"I always notice when we get to that place," she said.
She also doesn't visit her sister's grave site much, but on the anniversary of the disaster, she made the trip.
"It's taken forever, but it's gone by in a flash," she said. "It's hard to describe."
They were as close as twins, and both deeply religious. Linda says the toughest part now is having to make decisions without Donna.
"Those are the times when it's hard, and that's when I'm really like, I miss you, I wish you were here," she said. "But I know she's still here really with me."
And she thinks her sister would have a particular message for her.
"Don't crumble up in the corner," she said. "Let's just do what we were suppose to do and enjoy everything."
As for Metro-North, Linda hopes lessons were learned and that no one else will ever have to feel this kind of pain.
"If things can change, then it wasn't all terrible," she said. "It was terrible, but it won't be all terrible."
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