One Killed, One Injured in Train Collision
On Sunday, April 11, 2021, in Richvale, California, which is roughly 12 miles outside of Oroville in Butte County, an 80-year-old woman from San Jose was killed following a collision between a train and a pickup truck at a railroad crossing. The woman was a passenger in the truck. The driver of the pickup, David Hansen, who is 84 years old, suffered major injuries, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The tragic accident occurred shortly after 7:00 p.m. on Highway 162, close to Riceton Highway.
Details of the Incident
Mr. Hansen, also from San Jose, was driving a 2010 Toyota Tundra and was driving westbound on Highway 162. A CHP spokesperson explained that the truck approached a railroad crossing at Riceton Highway, on which a Union Pacific locomotive was traveling south toward Highway 162, and for unknown reasons, Mr. Hanson did not stop his pickup. As the truck began to cross Highway 162, it crashed into the train crossing warning arm and collided with the first train car of the Union Pacific locomotive.
The impact caused Mr. Hansen’s pickup to rotate and come to rest in an easterly direction. Emergency first responders on the scene determined that the 80-year-old female passenger had been killed. Mr. Hansen was life-flighted to Enloe Medical Center with severe injuries.
Additional Facts From the Investigation
According to CHP officers investigating the incident, the railroad crossing warning equipment seemed to be functioning properly. The pickup driver and passenger were both wearing their seatbelts at the time of the collision.
Stop – Because Trains Cannot
Tragic incidents such as this are, unfortunately, not uncommon. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has produced a safety campaign seeking to prevent the injuries and fatalities that happen at rail crossings every day in our country. The agency asserts that the majority of these terrible events are preventable. While we have no idea what caused Mr. Hansen to proceed through a descended crossing arm, the NHTSA reports an increase in recent years in the number of vehicle drivers who attempt to go around lowered railroad gates. This is highly dangerous as it can take more than a mile for a train to be able to stop in an emergency situation.
Railroad Crossing Safety Tips
The NHTSA promotes a number of safety tips for navigating train crossings. They include:
- First and most important – Stop. Look both ways and listen. Keep in mind, trains have the right-of-way.
- Before you cross, make sure there is room to fully get beyond the tracks. Once you being to cross, keep your vehicle moving.
- Stop at least fifteen feet away from lowered gates, flashing red lights, a stop sign, or a signalman.
- Never attempt to drive around a descending gate. Never ignore signs, lights, and signals. Always use caution.
- Before you proceed to cross, wait for the gates to completely rise and for all signal lights to stop flashing.
- Never assume there will be only one train approaching from a single direction.
Watch the YouTube video uploaded by NHTSA highlighting train crossing dangers.
Stalling on the Tracks
If your vehicle stalls on a railroad track, immediately exit and ensure that all passengers leave the vehicle as well – even if there are no signs of a train approaching. Put some distance between you and your vehicle to avoid being hit by any airborne debris if a train collides with the car. When you have made it to a safe area, call the Emergency Notification number that should be located on a blue sign. Alternatively, call 911.
Oroville Wrongful Death Lawyer
Hello, and thank you for reading. My name is Ed Smith, and I am a wrongful death lawyer in Oroville, California. The grieving family of a person who lost his or her life due to the negligent actions of another needs skilled legal guidance. If you have lost a loved one following an automobile accident, reach out to our compassionate injury lawyers at (530) 392-9400 locally, or from outside the region at (800) 404-5400. We are here to provide free and friendly legal advice.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/houston-texas-rail-road-crossing-2731099/
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