| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 2444 | 2017-11-12 | Troop C | Farm Tractor Operator Killed in Collision with Train |
| TROOP C NEWS RELEASE November 12, 2017 Farm Tractor Operator Killed in Collision with Train Vacherie – At approximately 10:00 a.m. this morning, Troop C was notified of a fatality crash involving a farm tractor and a train on LA 3213 just north of LA 3127. The crash took the life of 62 year old Mathew Alexander III of Vacherie, LA. The preliminary investigation revealed Alexander was traveling north on LA 3213 on a Case farm tractor. He was towing a 34 foot sugar cane hopper. Alexander approached the rail road crossing on LA 3213 and the crossing arms with red flashing lights were down. The audible warning signal was also activated. For unknown reasons, Alexander drove around the crossing arms and entered the path of an eastbound Union Pacific train. Alexander’s tractor was struck by the locomotive and he sustained fatal injuries. Alexander was pronounced deceased at the scene by the St. James Parish Coroner’s Office. Impairment is unknown on the part Alexander; however, standard toxicology tests are pending. It is unknown if he was restrained at the time of the crash. There were no injuries reported on the train and there was no derailment. The crash remains under investigation. Troopers would like to remind motorists of the dangers of disregarding these traffic control devices. We should always assume that a train is approaching at every highway-rail intersection and must NEVER try to beat a train or an engine on the track. For drivers that are impaired, it is even more difficult to detect an oncoming train. Louisiana State Police is an active member of “Operation Lifesaver”, a non-profit organization created to raise awareness on highway rail-grade crossing issues and to share the message of the importance of safety around rail-grade crossings. Contact Information: TFC Jesse LaGrange Louisiana State Police Troop C Public Affairs Office: (985) 857-3680 jesse.lagrange@la.gov www.LSP.org www.facebook.com/LouisianaStatePolice | |||
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