Sacramento Train Crash Kills Family

A vehicle was hit by a light-rail train killing a father, sister, and baby boy and severely injuring the mother. The father was driving across the tracks at four in the afternoon, and according to surveillance video, despite the crossing arms being down signaling that a train was coming, the man drove across the tracks anyway and the vehicle was then hit broadside by the Sacramento Regional Transit. The driver's relatives are finding it extremely hard to believe what the reports are saying, describing the driver as typically very cautious.

At the time of the crash, there were around 50 passengers on the train. Six sustained injuries after the impact, three adults and three children, and were taken to the hospital to get medical attention. The car was pushed 20 yards down the tracks before flipping upside down, but the train was not derailed according to the Sacramento police.

This particular crossing has a high amount of traffic with four tracks, and at the time the Sacramento Regional Transit involved in the crash was crossing, two other trains had crossed immediately before it. There seemed to have been no malfunctions with the crossing's warning signals at that time. Apparently, the driver of the vehicle in question cut in front of another vehicle that was in front of his before moving past the crossing arms.

The Regional Transit Manager stated that visibility is limited on either side of the track because there are sound walls surrounding it. In order to ensure extra safety measures, there is even a center strip a few inches tall which divides the eastbound and westbound traffic lanes which is meant to stop motorists from going around the crossing arms when they are down. Officials are calling it the worst light-rail accident in the 25 year history of the system.

Train accidents often result in fatalities. They are tragic and extremely serious cases that require the representation of a legal professional who is experienced in railroad crossing accidents. A train accident lawyer from Arnold & Itkin is ready to defend you if you have been injured in a train accident such as this. We have won thousands of dollars in settlements for our train accident clients and will fight to do the same for you. If you have been affected by a train accident, contact a railroad crossing accident attorney from our firm today.