Kansas Motorist Injured by Union Pacific Maintenance of Way Equipment at Unguarded Crossing
(Maple Hill, Kansas – March 10, 2025)
A local Kansas resident was injured when his 2021 GMC truck was struck by railroad maintenance equipment at an unguarded Union Pacific crossing. The collision occurred at the railroad and Buffalo Mound Road crossing just southwest of Maple Hill in Wabaunsee County. According to reports, the collision occurred at 11:28 am.
The injured driver has been identified as Courtney L. Waddell of Auburn, Kansas. Officials also reported the GMC truck caught fire after the collision.
The Federal Railroad Administration has long warned railroads of the dangers posed by railroad maintenance machines at crossings. As a result, railroad rules and industry standards require maintenance of way machines, like the one involved in this collision, to stop and yield to vehicular traffic. This is, in part, because maintenance machines do not have the federally required locomotive headlights and horns to attempt to provide warning of the train’s approach. It is clear that the railroad maintenance machine did not yield for the GMC truck and this collision would not have happened had the railroad followed their rules.
Further, the crossing where this collision occurred did not have any active warning devices, such as lights and gates. Some maintenance machines are equipped with devices that can activate lights and gates, potentially preventing this collision.
Local officials are continuing to investigate this collision.
