Family of Four Killed in Idaho at Dangerous, Unguarded Union Pacific Crossing
(Nampa, Idaho – April 16, 2024)
A family of four was involved in a tragic railroad crossing collision early this week. On April 16, 2024, at around 8:20 am, the Maupin family were on their way to go hunting when their vehicle was struck by a Union Pacific freight train. The collision occurred at a double-track crossing that is owned and controlled by Union Pacific near U.S. Highway 20, just south of Notus, Idaho. Union Pacific has yet to release information on the speed of the freight train, but records reveal trains typically go through this area of track at 70 miles per hour. The crossing where the collision occurred only had signs, and lacked any active warning devices, such as lights and gates.
All occupants of the vehicle, Benjamin Maupin, 38; Kapri Maupin, 35; Kayden Maupin, 17; and Ryder Maupin, 11, passed away due to injuries sustained in the collision. The father, Benjamin, was driving the family in their Chevrolet Silverado when they encountered the dangerous, unguarded Union Pacific crossing.
It appears that, tragically, Benjamin never received proper warning of the oncoming high-speed train. The crossing has no active warning devices, such as lights and gates. Union Pacific also categorizes the crossing as private. As a result of this categorization, it is unknown whether the train crew sounded the horn in advance of this crossing.
According to Union Pacific’s records, there is a daily average of 21 freight trains that go through the crossing where this collision occurred at typical speeds of 70 miles per hour. Despite the relatively high number of trains and high-speed train operations, there are no active warning devices at this crossing.
Union Pacific and Operation Lifesaver know that the installation of lights and gates at these unprotected crossings saves lives and prevents tragedies such as this one. It is virtually certain that the addition of lights and gates could have prevented this tragedy. Studies that have been conducted over fifty years ago confirm that lights and gates offer the ability to drastically reduce the number of vehicle/train collisions by as much as 96%.
The Maupin family were well known and well liked in the Nampa community. The parents were high school sweethearts and had two children that they adored. The family owned the Mint Barrel Barn Event Center, which was restored by the family and regularly hosted events such as weddings, reunions, birthday parties, and celebrations of life. The Maupins were known to be a very outdoorsy family, with regular trips to go hunting, fishing, camping, snowmobiling and dirt biking. They were very close and loved to spend time as a family.
The Idaho State Police are still investigating this collision.
