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A Pittston musician who was critically injured in a crash in Florida last month is fighting for her life “each and every day,” her attorney said.
Janet Rains — known to music fans as Jane Train — and fellow local residents Jason McCloe and Rob Dressler were involved in a violent July 14 crash that occurred when the RV of New York-based rock band Adrenaline Mob was struck by a tractor-trailer.
David “David Z” Zablidowski was killed in the wreck.
Friends and family attended a press conference Thursday to show support as Kingston attorneys Ed Ciarimboli and Greg Fellerman updated the conditions of those hurt and filled in some details about the ongoing investigation by Florida Highway Patrol and the litigation that could follow.
According to the crash report, the RV, which was pulled over onto the shoulder of the road, was struck by a rig that drifted off the roadway.
Ciarimboli said the truck, dispatched by Largo, Fla., motor carrier Twiss Transportation, crossed at least one full traffic lane before leaving the road, splitting the RV in half and causing it to become engulfed in flames.
Ciarimboli and Fellerman represent Rains, well-known regionally for her tenure in ’80s cover band M-80, and Dressler. Rains was acting as tour manager for Adrenaline Mob at the time of the incident. Dressler, of Plains Township, and McCloe, of Wilkes-Barre, were also employed by the outfit.
“Janet is still in a burn unit in Gainesville, Fla. She has catastrophic injuries,” Ciarimboli said. “She’s had a number of surgeries. We do anticipate that she will be in the burn unit for a considerable amount of time into the future.”
Ciarimboli also provided an update on Dressler’s condition before allowing McCloe’s attorney, Kingston lawyer Neil O’Donnell, to speak on his client’s behalf.
“Rob Dressler, who was the sound man for the band, continues to recover from his injuries as well,” Ciarimboli said. “He’s home now, but he’s continuing to recover from the devastating, devastating injuries he has as well.”
O’Donnell, who spoke with McCloe on Thursday morning, said he is in a long-term care facility and has another surgery scheduled.
“He sends his love, his appreciation, and he thanks everyone for their support.”
Ciarimboli said no one was left unscathed.
“Each one of the band members was injured significantly in this crash, and they all continue to treat and recover from the injuries they sustained,” he said. “A number of individuals have brain injuries. There’s broken bones. There’s been a number of surgeries. No one — and obviously the unfortunate death of David — escaped this horrific crash without a devastating physical or psychological injury.”
‘Held accountable’
O’Donnell said the team of lawyers has traveled to Florida and has experts in Florida and Pennsylvania as well as information gathered via drone flyovers and accident reconstruction.
“We understand the mechanics of the collision,” O’Donnell said. “The toxicology screen is not yet back on the (tractor-trailer) driver, and that issue remains under analysis.”
Ciarimboli said that “typically” when rig drivers and companies are following protocol, “tractor-trailers don’t just leave the roadway and strike vehicles off the roadway and not moving.”
“The motor carrier in question has a very checkered safety history, and we’re looking into that as well,” O’Donnell added.
Fellerman said the team of lawyers assembled to take on the trucking company is “ready to go.”
“There’s nobody better,” Fellerman said. “We’re going to take these guys to task. When we get into the courtroom, these guys are going to be held accountable from the civil side 100 percent.”
Although family and friends of those injured did not address the press directly, Ciarimboli said “one of the things they wanted to express to everybody is their sincere appreciation in keeping thoughts and prayers for Janet and everyone who was involved in this crash. It’s been overwhelming, the support the community has provided.”
