Train collision kills 6 in SUV
OAN’s Abril Elfi
12:01 PM – Sunday, September 24, 2023
Six people tragically lost their lives, including three innocent children, when a train collided with an SUV at a railroad crossing in Florida.
Tragedy struck on Saturday as three adults and three children were on their way to a birthday party when their family SUV collided with a freight train.
According to Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, the group was heading to a quinceañera when they approached a railroad crossing in Plant City, Florida. The crossing had a stop sign and a railroad crossing sign, but no crossing arms or warning bell.
“The word devastating doesn’t even begin to describe the tragedy that unfolded here,” Chronister said.
Chronister further explained that video evidence showed the SUV slowly crossing the tracks without pausing, despite the train’s conductor attempting to slow down and sounding its horn. Another witness in a nearby vehicle honked to catch the driver’s attention, but the collision occurred at approximately 6:45 p.m.
“As you can imagine the carnage that’s created when these two collide,” he said. “The SUV we can see from the video begins to catapult and flip violently several times before it’s landed a distance from this crossing.”
Additionally, Chronister described the car as resembling a “soft drink can that’s been smashed” after the impact.
It was reported that the crossing lacked crossing arms or sirens due to its location in a less-traveled area.
The victims who tragically lost their lives were identified as an adult man, two adult women, and three minors. Another adult passed away in the hospital overnight, while one adult survived but sustained critical injuries.
Guillermo E. Gama III, the 23-year-old front-seat passenger, is currently at the hospital awaiting tests and recovering from the accident.
The victims were identified as Jose G. Hernandez, 52, and passengers Enedelia Hernandez, 50, Jakub A. Lopez, 17, Alyssa Hernandez, 17, Anaelia Hernandez, 22, and Julian Hernandez, 9.
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How did video evidence contribute to understanding the cause of the collision between the train and the SUV?
Tragedy Strikes as Train Collides with SUV at Florida Railroad Crossing
On Saturday, a devastating accident took place in Florida as a train collided with an SUV at a railroad crossing, resulting in the loss of six lives, including three innocent children. The incident occurred as the family was on their way to a birthday party, turning what should have been a joyful occasion into a heartbreaking tragedy.
According to Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, the group was en route to a quinceañera celebration when they approached a railroad crossing in Plant City, Florida. While the crossing had a stop sign and a railroad crossing sign, it did not have crossing arms or a warning bell to alert drivers of approaching trains.
“The word devastating doesn’t even begin to describe the tragedy that unfolded here,” said Sheriff Chronister. He further explained that video evidence showed the SUV slowly crossing the tracks without stopping, despite the train conductor’s attempts to slow down and sound the horn. Another witness in a nearby vehicle honked to catch the driver’s attention, but the collision still occurred.
“As you can imagine, the carnage that’s created when these two collide,” the Sheriff stated. “The SUV, as we can see from the video, begins to catapult and flip violently several times before it lands a distance from this crossing.” He likened the car to a “soft drink can that’s been smashed” after the impact.
It was reported that the particular crossing did not have crossing arms or sirens due to its location in a less-traveled area. This lack of proper safety measures may have contributed to the tragic accident.
The victims who lost their lives in this devastating accident have been identified as an adult man, two adult women, and three minors. Another adult passed away in the hospital overnight, while one adult survived but sustained critical injuries. The 23-year-old front-seat passenger, Guillermo E. Gama III, is currently being treated at a hospital.
This incident serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of proper safety measures at railroad crossings. It is crucial that such crossings have functioning warning systems, including crossing arms and bells, to ensure the safety of motorists and prevent similar accidents in the future.
As the community mourns the loss of these innocent lives, it is important for authorities and transportation organizations to review and improve safety measures at railroad crossings to prevent such avoidable tragedies from happening again. Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones affected by this devastating accident.
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