A Texas motorist was killed, and another injured after the driver’s side of their SUV was struck by an oncoming freight train at a railroad crossing in Sinton, Texas a little over a week ago. The collision occurred a little after 12 pm, Thursday, June 27th at a railroad-highway crossing owned and controlled by Union Pacific. The crossing is in the 400 Block of East Market Street.
Reports from the Sinton Police Department stated that after impact the victim’s car was pushed through almost two intersections, before the train came to stop and emergency personnel could assist.
The identities of the individuals involved have not yet been released, but it has been confirmed that the collision involved two adults, a mother and son, both Sinton residents. Sadly, the mother, who was driving, died from the collision; Her son managed to get out of the car before the train’s impact and survived. The victim’s family and the community mourn the mother’s loss as she was a well-known, and beloved individual throughout Sinton.
According to Union Pacific submitted records, this crossing sees a daily average of 18 trains traveling at speeds up to 49 mph. The Union Pacific crossing is equipped with lights and gates. However, it is not known if they were properly functioning at the time of the collision. It is also not known at this time as to why the victim’s car remained on the tracks before it was struck, or if traffic caused the vehicle to become trapped on this crossing at the same time the freight train was approaching the crossing.
The Sinton Police Department are still investigating the cause of this collision.