Captured On Camera: Commuter Train Crashes into FedEx Cargo Truck
by Jana Ritter - Published: 1/25/2017A speeding commuter train, a crossing semi-truck, a snowstorm and technical error all combined to create a heart-stopping collision at a railroad crossing in Utah on Saturday. Miraculously, everyone survived the incident and while the exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, a dash cam video happened to capture how it all went down. (Watch the video below.)
The crash occurred on Saturday morning during a snowstorm in North Salt Lake, Utah. The dash cam video released by North Salt Lake Police on Tuesday, shows the near fatal moment when the FedEx semi-trailer was moving through the seemingly clear railroad intersection and suddenly a Utah Transit Authority FrontRunner train smashed into the truck’s first trailer, slicing it in half. The crash sent the cardboard boxes from inside the trailer flying into the snowy air, but fortunately the train completely missed the truck’s cab where the truck driver and a passenger were seated. In fact, both men and all 82 train passengers managed to survive the crash without any serious injuries at all.
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"The first trailer behind the semi was pretty much cut in half by the train. They quickly assessed the drivers, who were uninjured, and then we had crews get on the train and start evaluating passengers," said Chief Jeff Barrett of the South Davis Metro Fire Department.
Utah Transit Authority spokesman, Remi Barron, later confirmed in a media statement that the crossing gates weren't working properly, nor were the flashing lights or warning bells. While the agency was continuing to investigate exactly why the railroad crossing was disabled, Barron said the cold and ice accumulated earlier that day had forced the arms down into a safety default mode before they popped back up. He also said that the crossing gates were operating properly previously and should not have gone up with a train approaching. He said it was less than a minute after the gates rose that the collision occurred. He also said the agency has not ruled out human error and was examining data from the crash site and also interviewing the crew members, who are currently on administrative leave.
"In the event of a power outage or lack of signal, crossing gates are programmed to default to the 'down and active' position as a safety precaution," the agency's media statement said. "Preliminary information indicates the gates were affected by the severe ice and snow conditions at the time and were in the default 'down and active' position, as they are programmed. The agency has never had an accident like this before, and UTA is investigating why and how it happened to ensure it doesn't occur again.”
After going through such a frightening ordeal, it’s a good thing the truck driver isn’t going to be found at fault for the incident and so far it looks like he’ll be keeping his job with FedEx as well. "We are aware of the incident in Salt Lake City and are grateful that no one was seriously injured. We worked with authorities during their investigation to quickly clean up the scene and minimize the impact on customers," a FedEx spokeswoman told the media.
Apparently a lot of you do not have your CDL license, commercial drivers do not need to stop if the lights are not flashing, only commercial vehicles that carry hazmat and passengers,are required and they are placarded. I roll my windows down because I don't trust their systems. As noted the truck going the opposite way didnt stop either.
Also livestock I believe.
still that train was pretty damn close. even if the lights arnt working you should look both ways before crossing the tracks with a semi. its the drivers fault he got hit.
Good policy to have Darren Stanford....I do the same thing. I slow down, look and listen at every crossing I come to
Darren Stanford, how do you figure it is the driver's fault? See how slow that truck is moving due to the snow, now just think how far the train was up the track at about the same speed it was traveling when contact was made, being the truck got hit about 40 feet behind the driver.
Kristy Rose Hepner livestock what? We (us bullhaulers) do not stop at any r/r xings. we are just like regular drivers. Don't start thinking to much out of your drivers seat ok.
That was a retarded driver. That was his fault he got hit. Not the trains. If lights don't work. You look both ways regardless.
Though also Chad that commuter train runs really quick through there so he had no idea that train was coming until it was on top of him..
It's not the the truckers fault. Lights not on, gates never game down. There is a mechanism in the track. The mechanism also detects speed, this singles the crossing lights and gates. I saw a truck on the right side of video parked. If they were working on the crossing gates. Where were the flaggers. If no flaggers can be present. The crew has rules to follow. The information is given to the crew by dispatch. I couldn't tell because of snow, if it was a possible quite zone/ No Horn crossing. Regardless in a situation like that, the engineer has to blow the horn. I hope he blew it right.
Gates never came down.
You are right , don't trust warning devices
And precisely how was he to know there was a fault?
You are supposed to look before going over any railroad tracks if it's visible don't cross
No I believe you are the retarded one
How do you know he/she didn't look both ways? It was a passenger train running at a high rate of speed not a yard speed freight train. And the driver was pulling two 28' trailers...On snow.
I went back and read the story of what happened. This is fully the Railroads fault. The gates were malfunctioning do to weather. The gates were stuck in the down position. The maintainer was sent out to work on the gates. The gates came up. Obviously the switch in the track that singles the the gates wasn't working either. So again, to Federal Rules and regulations, why wasn't there Flaggers. Again if flaggers aren't present. Again why didn't the crew of the commuter train follow proper Federal Rules. I know this because I am employed to a Major Railroad. Also I drove a commercial vehicle cross the country for several years. Only Hazmat placard loads have to stop at a RR crossing, B4 processing. It's clearly not the drivers fault.
Um- you won't know they aren't working until they don't work. They starting flashing after the train came through. That driver didn't do anything wrong. As long as he wasn't hauling hazmat, he isn't required to stop at railroad tracks UNLESS the lights are flashing and /or the arms lower. Btw- I am a truck driver and have been for 17 years. 👍
definitely railroads fault.
Danielle Lee Freshour -The gates did come down only after the crash.
Danielle Lee Freshour The gates came down after the accident. The video is froj a cop car camera system.
that is a typical response chad made...from a driver who has never made a mistake. fault or no fault chad it does not make him retarted. it was simply poor judgement on somebody. was there a clear view of the tracks for a quarter mile in both directions? drivers make mistakes...i know i did in my 40 years of driving. we all make mistakes and does that make us all retards...i. only hope you can one day have a check on reality and look at your fellow driver with a different outlook. all you drivers have out there is each other. good luck in your carreer chad.
I went back and read the story of what happened. This is fully the Railroads fault. The gates were malfunctioning do to weather. The gates were stuck in the down position. The maintainer was sent out to work on the gates. The gates came up. Obviously the switch in the track that singles the the gates wasn't working either. So again, to Federal Rules and regulations, why wasn't there Flaggers. Again if flaggers aren't present. Again why didn't the crew of the commuter train follow proper Federal Rules. I know this because I am employed to a Major Railroad. Also I drove a commercial vehicle cross the country for several years. Only Hazmat placard loads have to stop at a RR crossing, B4 processing. It's clearly not the drivers fault.
I agree with you!! You're right. I know the driver in that truck and heard FedEx is suing UTA for improper malfunctions due to error. 100% the railroad at fault.
Did you also read that train was running with speed restrictions, signal maintainer was on scene, and footage was from a police car because they were notified and asked to watch in case of an accident, the rail is around a bend and event recorder also showed train was in emergency prior to collision, in longer version lights and gates activate after train stops in the signal block
Yes you are right about RR's fault but they already were taking precautions however I back you up with the Stop Flag and Proceed, but Maintainer said it was functioning but however they did not lift speed restrictions because of crossing, otherwise it could have been worse
Last I read was full investigation was into signal and the signal maintainer
Adam Hoffman.....google Gcore rule 6.32.2. that should help you understand what I am saying. Flaggers are to be at the crossing. When the train crew and flaggers communicate with one another. After the flagger gives the ok of clear. The train has to approach crossing at 15mph until the crossing is completely occupied. Then the train can resume authorized track speed. If no flaggers, depending on the mandatory directive given by dispatch per Gcore rule 6.32.2. The train will stop b4 crossing. The Conductor will provide protection at the crossing. When crossing is completely occupied, the Conductor will get back on train. Or again depending on mandatory directive per the same rule. If the gates appear to be working properly, you enter the crossings at 15mph. After occupied resume authorized track speed.
I only read a few articles. All saying the same thing. That this was a police video, and that there will be an investigation. I guarantee you the RR was uploading the trains on board cameras and trains data within minutes of the accident.
Why is everyone so quick to blame anyone? It was an accident, plain and simple.Unless you were there, all you have to go by is the video, which clearly shows the lights and signals coming on "after" impact! Just be thankful that the good Lord above kept everyone safe! That in itself is a miracle! Praise God, fix the damage and let life go on!
Driver did right of stopping, but should have put window(s) down listened, I'm very sure train engineer was blowing it's horns like they are supost to. Can't tell because of no volume.
No train horn zone, FYI
Victor do you know that for sure? Regardless in a situation like that, the engineer has to blow down. I know that for fact.
You'd be wrong. It's a no horn zone.
Danielle Lee Freshour, ok I have seen you post so great stuff. If it is indeed a quite zone, and the train did not have the directives as you pointed out, why would the train sound it's horns, until it was to late? I question that the train crew had the directives as you listed, simply because that train definitely WAS NOT doing 15 mph, also as you quoted. I believe the engineer would blow the horn as of seeing the tracks not being clear but not as SOP!
no terry...the train was in a noise ordinance area...no horn
Commercial lic holders are required to stop by DOT law at all RR crossings, gates or signals or not. Read the book, its in black n white, its the law. That said. The timing of the video given, it appears he did make a full stop and was just getting going. No way to know for sure if he did or didn't look down the tracks, but snowy/glum cloudy day conditions, but LOS does seem reasonable and you will also note that the Fed X truck going the other way (in front of the police car) he actually sped up a little, so he logically saw the train and beat feet to get off the tracks. No idea if Fed x allows CB radios, so hard to know if he could have tried to warn the on coming truck? It will be interesing to find out the final findings on the investigation... (if they publish it ? )
Uh... You are wrong. Only haz-mat loads are required to stop at rail crossings, not all trks. ALL TRKS are not allowed to change gears in a RR crossing. Nor we allowed to stop over a RR crossing. Im sure rhs drvr didnt see the approaching train or he wldnt hv pulled on the tracks.
Hazmat loads, buses, and maybe livestock but I'm not 100% sure on that.
As others have already pointed out , truck drivers are NOT required to stop at railroad crossings with signals unless they are hauling hazmat. Also, I can see how the police car slowing, stopping, then backing up might create the illusion that the FedEx truck in front of him sped up, but I'm pretty sure it was just that, an illusion. Or at the very least, impossible to distinguish any acceleration of the truck from the deceleration of the police car.
Perhaps you should go reread that book.
Mike Rogers you are right that other guy is an idiot(probably works for Swift) the driver was in the right
False . Only hazmat stops
Show me the book with that rule, Ms. Pimluer! I dont believe you will be able to find that. Thats the problem with people that dont have CDL's trying to say what is supposed to be done.
You're wrong. We aren't required to stop unless we're hauling hazmat.
You are so wrong
Lmao ever been behind the wheel of a truck. You are wrong.
Hahaha swift
This poster looks like a troll!
The FedEx Ground driver didn't have his lights on too. Snowing, poor lighting and no common sense is common with all types of drivers anymore. It's tough to stop or respond to a train and faulty gates if moving quickly. Ground was moving pretty good and likely couldn't stop if he saw a train at that point. FedEx Exp was going a bit too slow, but every driver, car or truck, handles RR crossings differently. Some crawl over them, some fly over them. Hell, I've been passed by a 4 wheeler over DY lines while stopping for RR tracks in a HaxMat truck. Dash cam at all times. Glad noone was hurt.
By law his headlights were not required. We drive with our lights on for safety but it is not normal required!
Victor Collins , Most States require headlights (and marker) in poor weather. Wipers on, lights on. Anyway it was just an observation. It's bad enough drivers of cars don't turn lights on unless the car does for them. Seems today's Truckers are starting to slack in that area too.
Why didn't the driver hear the train? I live about 4 miles from a crossing in a small town and I can hear the train coming in the house before the train crew starts blowing the horn as they approach the crossing. Sure the railroads equipment malfunctioned but you still gotta have enough brain matter to look listen and determine whether it's safe to cross or not....and yes I do have a class a cdl and drive everyday. I look before I cross at any crossing I come to. In fact there's a crossing in the area I drive, Jeffersonville IN, where there is no crossing gates just a couple of rr crossing signs.
You don't sound otr, but that's ok. Being I am otr, I can indeed tell you that if I stopped or even slowed much for RR crossing I sure could not get across the country without adding at least a day or 2.
Maybe the train was moving that fast that when he looked first nothing was coming!!! Remember only buses and hazmat trucks come to a stop 15-50 feet before a track. A train like that you can't hear until it's up on you. Train operator should have been on the horn well ahead.
Sadly it's a no horn zone.
Two Fed Up trucks one makes one trailer went air mail lucky driver. That's what's going to happen when the train runs 90 mph through town here sometime guaranteed it's going to happen sooner than later and they don't let off that train horn until they get through town 6 crossings and I'm 8 blocks away and sounds like it's going down the street out front.
It was not going 90 MPH. dont exagerate. 60 at the fastest. regs dont allow high speed near residental or commercial zones.
Gordon Alkire, he did not say this train was running 90, he said "when".
It's ultimately the driver's fault. Always look before crossing, regardless of lights.
Are you saying that no matter what happens the truck driver is always at fault? Because that sure sounds like what you are saying.
What if there was a curve on the track and at crossing? Train moving at 40 plus mph?
Victor Collins You can bet the insurance company will find a way to rule that it was the drivers fault.
Nope. But thanks for posting without knowing the facts. Fact is, you can't see the train from the road till it's too late thanks to a blind bend in the tracks and trains going WAY too fast in that area to begin with. We've complained about this for a few years here in Utah.
That's obviously a class 6 track....Passenger trains can legally go up to 70 mph...
Ray Hicks that's crazy
Kevin O'Donnell, I take that bet. All the evidence that has been released so far says it's on the railroad, therefore the truck's insurance company will not care, because they don't have to pay.
FYI the train comes around a blind bend in the tracks. You can't see it from the road until it's too late.
It's so easy to sit back and judge someone when your not the one involved.
Fed ex an them ignorant Russian steering wheel holders
That was an American man, sir!
Before you call somebody ignorant, learn how to properly structure a sentence.
Wow! Rodney for your information I'm a woman and not Russian at all! I also drive for FedEx Ground! Also as stated many times through the comments it wasn't the drivers fault! We don't even haul enough hazmat to require us to placard our loads!
"when it absolutely has to be there overnight"... wait.. nevermind.
So THAT's what happened to the crushed package FedEx left on my porch, with $2000.00 worth of destroyed stereo equipment !
Who gives a shit we know all u Perry Manson super truckers are all right
Gonna have to use even more caution when approaching rail road crossings when it's snowing.
Glad the driver is OK .
Get your ass to work suck it up, freight to move that's a letter. Lol. Feel better Disney store waiting for ya when you get back
It was Gorge Bushes fought. … ;~[ …
God was watching over that truck driver
Holy Shit#
I think my package is gonna be delayed!
My hubby saw it on the news last night.
Any jobs for drivers with no accidents since 1987?
I bet that signal maintainer ass is in crack
No the signal maintainer isn't in trouble. It's snowing. The snow is possibly causing the malfunction.
Power outrage.
They have backup systems for outages
Praise God
Only fex-ex drivers.. They suck
Such an intelligent comment!
Cory Chiazza Dont worry about some of these numb nuts.Life will catch up to them one day. It will be their turn.
Bet he will look both ways next time. He was very lucky.
How could he look both ways when the driver is 40 feet in front of the tracks?
Working for the RR, I am telling you the driver isn't at fault.
Thank you for the update.
Nope. But thanks for posting without knowing the facts. Fact is, you can't see the train from the road till it's too late thanks to a blind bend in the tracks and trains going WAY too fast in that area to begin with. We've complained about this for a few years here in Utah.
Boy them Fed ex drivers can't catch a break...
Glad everyone was ok yes driver should be more careful
Don't you think the signal man should be more careful?
😩😲
Saw that 3 days ago on tv.
Thanks to GOD
Always a fed ex or container, worst on the road
You should keep your ignorant statements to yourself. He's not at fault. We don't carry enough hazmat to placard a load. Hence the reason we don't have to stop at railroad crossings. Also from other comments it's in a blind spot so the driver wouldn't have seen it coming. As well as the equipment was malfunctioning.
Jim Knott, be safe my son!
WTF
Tremendous post very informative I <3
The Russians did it!
😂😂😂😂😂