Two Dead, Three Injured in Train Accident by Hwy 281 in Atascosa County, TX
Atascosa County, TX — July 1, 2022, two adults died and three children were injured when a train hit their vehicle near Highway 281 in Atascosa County.
According to reports the incident happened around 7:15 a.m. on tracks across Strawberry City Road by Highway 281, a few miles south of Leming. Preliminary investigation suggest only that a vehicle was on the tracks for unknown reasons when a southbound Union Pacific train crashed into it.
Two adults in the car died and three children (ages 6, 5, and 1) were transported to an area hospital. No one aboard the train was injured.
The investigation continues. No further information is currently available.
Commentary on Train Accident in Atascosa County
The assumption after crashes like this is that the car's driver did something wrong. People tend to jump to that conclusion because they can't envision a way that a train operator, moving a single direction at a steady pace, could be at fault. However, there are still some possible issues to investigate before anyone gets too eager to point fingers or say they know what happened.
Here's a few that quickly come to mind: Is anything wrong with that train crossing? Is it marked by lights and crossing arms? If not, why not? If so, were they functioning properly? Is there an issue with visibility here--overgrowth, sightlines compromised by buildings or hills, or other issues that might have kept the driver from seeing the approaching train? Did the car get stuck on the tracks somehow? Did the train signal its approach to the crossing? Could any other factors have been involved?
Those questions really just scratch the surface of a thorough investigation. The bottom line is that someone suffered fatal injuries in a collision that may have been avoidable. The specifics of that crash must be uncovered if their loved ones are to know they have the full story. Will law enforcement take appropriate steps to get them the answers and help they need?
