(Hopewell, Virginia — December 28, 2011)
Following a car/train accident which sent a 66-year-old unidentified motorist to a local hospital for treatment of injuries he suffered when his truck was struck by a CSX freight train at the dangerous, unguarded crossing of Elm Street and CSX tracks in Hopewell, VA Wednesday afternoon about 5:00 P.M., an area TV station has been polling residents about the highly questionable safety of the crossing.
The CSX railroad comes out of a curve and through a culvert-style tunnel under the levee of another roadway just 100 feet from the crossing, and motorists using the crossing have virtually no sight distance as trains approach the crossing from that direction.
CBS news affiliate WTVR-TV, Channel 6 was in Hopewell the following day, examining the crossing and interviewing residents on their experiences at and opinions of safety at the Elm Street/CSX crossing.
While citizens interviewed were unanimous in their feelings that the crossing should have lights, bells and gates, CSX failed to return calls requesting the railroad’s input.