One Killed in Train vs. Vehicle Accident
On Friday, June 7, 2017, an individual tragically was killed when their vehicle was struck by a passing commuter train.
Accident Details
According to reports released by the Dixon Police Department (DPD), the collision occurred at around 5 a.m. where train tracks cross Pitt School Road close to the intersection of Porter Road in the southwest end of Dixon.
Reportedly, an Amtrak commuter train had been heading west toward the Bay Area when it collided with a white vehicle that had been parked on the tracks. California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that the train crossing arms of the intersection had been lowered at the time of the collision.
More Details
Pictures of the incident reveal that the car was severely damaged as a result of the train accident and caught fire after being struck by the train. Pieces of the car were thrown at least 40 feet from where the collision took place.
Although the damage looks severe, the passengers on the train reported that they did not feel the impact and officials say that the train did not sustain major damages. Furthermore, none of the passengers or workers onboard the train were injured.
Fatality and Response
Officers of CHP, DPD, the Dixon Fire Department, and officials from Union Pacific all responded to the accident.
CHP also reported that when they searched the wreckage of the vehicle, they found that its single occupant had died during the collision. The identity of the deceased has not yet been reported by investigating officials.
We extend our condolences to the family members and friends of the person who passed away in this accident.
Investigation
Officials have reported that they do not know why the vehicle was on the train tracks at the time of the collision. An investigating officer told reporters that they will be reviewing the video recorded on the train’s front-facing camera in order to better understand why the vehicle was stopped on the tracks.
Train Collisions
Though they are a reliable form of transportation, trains also have their fair share of accidents. Because trains are so large and tend to travel at very high speeds, collisions can be extremely serious. In 2017, the Federal Railroad Administration has recorded 3,507 railroad accidents in the U.S. as of July 7. Of these 3,507 reported accidents, 271 were reported to have caused a fatality. Additionally, the rate of train accident fatalities in 2017 is 17.3 percent higher than in 2016.
To help reduce the amount of train collision injuries, the U.S. Department of Transportation is working with volunteer organizations in order to promote efforts of law enforcement and public awareness regarding safety at railroad crossings and proper safety behavior around railroad operations.
Related Content from Ed Smith
Dixon Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Dixon wrongful death lawyer. Accidents often have serious consequences. If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision, contact me at (707) 564-1900 for friendly and free advice. Elsewhere, reach me at (800) 404-5400.
I’ve been helping residents of Dixon to receive the money they deserve in cases that involve personal injury and wrongful death for 35 years.
Some of my client reviews and ratings are located on: Yelp, Avvo, and Google.
I am in the Million Dollar Forum. This is a forum for trial attorneys that have won verdicts or negotiated settlements worth at least $1 million.
Some of my Verdicts and Settlements can be viewed here.
I’m the founder of AutoAccident.com, the Northern California region’s best site for information on vehicle accidents and personal injury.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
:ms bw cv