The 2019 Westbury train collision was a level crossing collision that involved one vehicle and two separate trains heading in opposite directions. One of the trains derailed and collided into a nearby platform. It was later revealed that the vehicle involved was fleeing the scene of a car accident.[1]
| 2019 Westbury train collision | |
|---|---|
 Train similar to that involved in the collision | |
| Details | |
| Date | February 26, 2019 ~7:20 pm |
| Location | Westbury, New York |
| Coordinates | 40°45′14″N 73°35′01″W / 40.75389°N 73.58361°W |
| Country | United States |
| Line | Long Island Rail Road |
| Incident type | Collision with vehicle on rail |
| Statistics | |
| Trains | 2 |
| Vehicles | 1 |
| Passengers | 200-1000 |
| Deaths | 3 |
| Injured | 3-7 |
| List of rail accidents (2010–2019) | |
Accident
editOn February 26, 2019, at around 7:20 pm, a vehicle containing three passengers drove past a down rail bar gate, signaling a train was approaching. There were two trains about to cross this intersection; one of the trains was heading westward, and the other was going eastward. The eastbound train struck the car first, but kept traveling until it could fully brake. The proceeding westbound train then struck the vehicle, then derailed, only coming to an abrupt stop as it collided into a rail platform.[2] The car burst into flames as it was struck and dragged by the train.[3]
The three in the vehicle were killed instantly. An additional three on the train that derailed were taken to a nearby hospital in serious condition.[1]
Victims
editTwo of the three fatalities were immediately identified in the crash. They were Miguel Angel Jimenez Luna (36) and Saul Martinez Caravantes (28), with the third victim's identity pending DNA testing. The three victims all worked together at the same grocery store and were believed to be trying to beat the train after the crossing signals were lowered.[4]
Aftermath
editAs a direct result of the accident, New York senator Kevin Thomas proposed a bill to install security cameras at rail crossings along the line in hopes of identifying other drivers who attempt to cross active rail lines when passing signals are in effect.[4]
It was later revealed the driver of the vehicle was fleeing the scene of an earlier accident. The prior accident was only deemed "minor", but the driver still left the scene.[1]
See also
edit- 2005 Glendale train crash - Train derailment and collision also caused by a vehicle on the tracks resulting in 11 deaths.
- Valhalla train crash - Rail crossing accident in New York that resulted in six deaths.
References
edit- ^ a b c "Witness: Driver in train-car crash was fleeing earlier crash". Associated Press. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "LIRR train fatally strikes vehicle in Westbury". Long Island Business News. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "Three people killed in train-vehicle collision, derailment on Long Island". NorthJersey.com. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ a b Yelverton, Syreeta. "Victims Identified In Triple-Fatal LIRR Crash". WSHU Public Radio. Retrieved August 10, 2024.