California Motorist Killed at Dangerous, Unguarded Union Pacific Crossing
(Fresno, California – May 31, 2020)
A motorist died after his car was struck by one of 19 Union Pacific freight trains that travel on a rail line that parallels Golden State Blvd just outside of Fresno, CA last Sunday. According to information given to Fresno Channel 30 News, the victim may have had no warning of a Union Pacific freight train. The train was allegedly exceeding the 10 MPH speed limit at the private crossing of UPRR rails and South Maple Avenue Sunday afternoon. The collision occurred just before 3 PM, PDT.
A member of the train crew said that the train was operating at 30 mph when it collided with the victim’s car. Unless railroad-supplied information regarding the speed limit had not been updated, the train was exceeding its speed limit by 20 mph.
In addition, the crossing does not have any active warning devices, such as lights and gates. Nor is it known whether the train horn was sounded at the private crossing, as required by California law.
Authorities did not identify the victim, whom first responders tried in vain to perform CPR procedures, pending notification of next of kin,
