Refinery Worker Killed When Hit By Union Pacific Train At Dangerous, Unguarded Texas Crossing
(Big Spring, Texas — April 11, 2012)
A 57-year-old contract worker at the Alon USA oil refinery in Big Spring, TX died at a local hospital after the truck she was driving was struck by a westbound Union Pacific freight train at the dangerous, unguarded crossing of the Main Refinery Entrance Road and UPRR tracks which run adjacent to the 67,000 barrels-per-day facility on the east edge of the city Wednesday morning about 11:30 A.M.
Maria Patricia Cardenas of Winter Garden, FL was pronounced dead at the Scenic Mountain Medical Center in Big Spring by Howard County Justice of the Peace Quail Dobbs.
No automatic signals (flashing lights, bell or gates) nor any significant warning signs are present to protect workers and customers from oncoming trains at the crossing, which accommodates 50 mph train speeds for an estimated 27 trains daily.
