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Source: http://lsp.org/news_detail.html?id=6337

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6337 2015-02-16 Troop G Train Collides with a Truck Claiming the Lives of Two Men And Leaving another Critically Injured

TROOP G - NEWS RELEASE

February 16, 2015
Train Collides with a Truck Claiming the Lives of Two Men
And Leaving another Critically Injured


DeSoto Parish- On February 16, 2015, at 12:57p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop G responded to a crash involving a train and a truck off of Louisiana Highway 5 in DeSoto Parish that claimed the lives of two men and critically injured another.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2001 Dodge Ram was traveling east on a private lease road just east of LA 5 when the driver, 23-year-old John Watson of Centerville, LA, drove into the path of a southbound Union Pacific freight train operated by 59-year-old Kenneth Charles of Humble, TX. The truck was then struck by the train in the driver’s side door and pushed completely off of the tracks.

Watson as well as his passenger’s 24-year-old Michael Ryder II of Golddonna, LA and 35-year-old Herbert Barras III of Charenton, LA were unrestrained at the time of the crash.

Watson and Ryder sustained fatal injuries from the crash and were pronounced dead at the scene by the DeSoto Parish Coroner and Barras remains in critical condition.

A toxicology sample was obtained from Watson and will be submitted for analysis, but impairment is not suspected in this crash. This crash remains under investigation.

The crash occurred at a crossing with no active warning devices (flashing lights, gates, or bells). However, a railroad crossing sign and stop sign were present at the crossing. Louisiana state law requires motorists to yield the right of way to trains whether active warning devices are present or not.

Troopers want to take this time to remind motorists that trains can stop but they can’t stop quickly. That is why it is so important to look and listen for trains when approaching a railroad crossing and to always yield the right of way to trains.

For more information about rail safety or to request a free safety presentation, please visit the Louisiana Operation Lifesaver web site at www.laoperationlifesaver.org or contact your nearest Louisiana State Police Public Information Officer.

Contact Information:
TFC Matt Harris
Louisiana State Police
Troop G Public Affairs
Office: (318)741-7411
matt.harris@la.gov
www.LSP.org
www.facebook.com/LouisianaStatePolice

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