Motorist Killed ay Dangerous, Unguarded Mississippi Crossing
(Shipman, Mississippi – September 20, 2012)
A 23-year-old resident of George County, MS died instantly at about 6:30 P.M. Thursday evening when the SUV he was driving southbound was struck by a Canadian National freight train at the dangerous, unguarded intersection of Agricola-Latonia Road and CN railroad tracks near Shipman, MS.
Anthony Pugh had his vehicle struck by the Mobile, AL-bound train, according to George County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Shonna Pierce.
“There is no crossing bar or warning lights at that particular intersection,” said Officer Pierce. “We believe he (the victim) saw the train too late and was unable to stop,” she added.
The CN/Agricola-Latonia Road crossing is “protected” only by standard, passive railroad crossbuck signs, completely lacking active warning devices such as crossing gates, bells and flashing lights. Railroad-generated figures say these active warning devices could eliminate 90% or more of all such tragedies.
The crossing where Pugh died accommodates a half dozen trains daily at a top speed of 49 mph.
