Ohio Motorist Killed by Second, Hidden Freight Train at Norfolk Southern Crossing
(Toledo, Ohio – April 16, 2024)
An Ohio motorist was killed last Tuesday morning after her car was struck by a freight train in Millbury, Ohio, a village in Wood County. According to police reports, Daniella Gamboa Pabon, 25, was driving her car southbound on N. Fostoria Road at around 9:45 am.
She encountered an activated light and gate railroad crossing that had two sets of tracks between State Road 795 and 51. Ms. Gamboa waited at the crossing for the westbound train to pass. After the westbound train passed, the gates began to go up. At this point, Ms. Gamboa reasonably believed it was safe to proceed through the crossing. Unbeknownst to Ms. Gamboa, there was a hidden, eastbound freight train that was quickly approaching the crossing. The gates went back down at the last second and Ms. Gamboa’s vehicle was struck by the eastbound Norfolk Southern train. Ms. Gamboa was reported deceased at the scene due to injuries sustained in the collision.
Tragically, this is not the first time a scenario like this has occurred. There have been seven prior collisions at this crossing, including the most recent prior collision in 2023. It appears that due to the second eastbound oncoming train, the light and gate signal system at this crossing may not have provided Ms. Gamboa with the required federal regulatory gate down warning time.
According to Norfolk Southern submitted records, there are an average of 50 freight trains that use this crossing daily at speeds up to 79 mph.
Ohio State Highway Patrol is still investigating this collision.
