Blame is on multiple people. The oversized load that got high centered on the tracks had to have a permit from the state which specifies a route for that load based on it's dimensions. Ultimately the driver (I am a driver of 31 years) should have questioned whether the crossing was safe for that load.
if it is a state permit issued route. the driver has NO responsibility there. as by law the state should be measuring ALL permit load routes, and takes all responsibility before issuing such permits.
When hauling an oversize load in Texas, the state will provide you with a proposed route through their permitting system, which you then need to review and potentially survey physically to confirm its suitability for your load; essentially, you plan the trip with the state's guidance on the best route for your oversized cargo based on your provided load details. So much for being a truck driver for 30 years as a qualification for who's right and who's wrong huh😂
I was a escort driver for years on these same exact pieces for windmills ! I agree with you ! Most times the route is driven pre trip by a operator to check the states route determined.
From a Railroad family, my great uncle Railroaded from the 1950's to my pops Railroading for 38 years and myself Railroading for 25 years.. This really hurts me, Rest in Peace my Railroad Brothers.. from the Santa Fe / BNSF family.. 😔🙏🏼
@@CZR1951 why dont they fix the crossings properly? I've rode Amtrak, the railbeds are so rough, I dont see how the train stays on the track. And speeding through populated areas? Jesus, these things are guided missiles.
These news agencies all need to do better in situations like this. End with how to save something like this from happening!! The truck was stuck there for AN HOUR!! ALL crossings have an emergency blue sign to call in case something happens at that crossing. It links with the railroad and they can stop all rail traffic approaching that crossing!!!
Correct. Also, as part of the permitting process they need to have an emergency phone number to call the railroad company for situations like this. As part of the permitting process they were given a time slot of the truck going to cross the tracks. Somebody said the truck was stuck for almost an hour so that time slot had already expired. So question remains did somebody call the RR to explain that the truck is stuck on the tracks. That's something the news journalist should have asked.
If it is true they were there for an entire hour without notifying the railroad, Should be Vehicular Manslaughter charges at minimum. That train crew did not have to die. That Trucking company and anyone attached to is are done for, the Railroad and those Families are going to own every asset they have. I have called the number on those boxes before to report issues with crossings, and never waited on hold more then 5 minutes, this goes for BNSF, UP, and CPKC railroad crossings. Someone fucked up BIG time here.
The be fair, the role of news media is to observe and report. Findings shouldn't be pinned on them. What if they are wrong? They could be sued. Leave that to others more qualified.
Just like every other time something tragic like this happens, the officials will say something like "We didn't connect the dots....and We will need hundreds of millions more in public funding to work on this issue"
They can't even pronounce the name of their town correctly! It's PAY-COSE.... Pecos, like Pecos Bill. I live in Pecos, New Mexico, I know what I am fuggin talking about! 😳
The truck driver and his team need to be charged significantly here. This is raw negligence. They had plenty of time to notify rail company or police that they had an issue on the tracks. These are some bungling idiots at work here, they need to pay.
@@g.w.7893 Jail time would not be to much to ask due to the deaths and damage. There are Signs at EVERY crossing that you call the Instant you are stalled on the tracks and EVERYONE has phones now!!
@@dannyfierro3870 I "AM" a Truck driver, Class B concrete mix truck driver. and I know, and my company has rules that IF for some reason my truck stalls on tracks. I CALL THE NUMBER!!! IMMEDIATELY before ANYTHING ELSE!!!!
Another reminder of just how dangerous railroading is as a vocation. I did not mis-speak, I retired as a Locomotive Engineer after 30 years of service and there for the presence of good luck could have been me. My utmost condolence to 2 BROTHER railroad men who gave their lives in the performance of their duty. To their families and friends-my utmost sympathy and respect.Godspeed.
Yup, I did 33 years on the RR as a locomotive engineer. Been retired 18 years. I remember hitting the trucks. I truly feel sorry for the families. God bless them in their trying times.
I acknowledge it’s unrealistic but I wish RR X-ings never existed anywhere on Earth .. a seemingly endless number of catastrophes just waiting to happen 😔
@@reynaldomartinez7076 Another Brother! Thank You! What is so terrible,even beyond the deaths of OUR Brother Engineer and Conductor,is the fact that Christmas is ruined for the survivors,probably forever. I hope that at least,there are no young children in those 2 families. Take Care.
This is ENTIRELY the trucking company’s fault. I speak for everyone when I say that. They should’ve called the emergency number that is placed on every crossing in the USA. They should’ve called that number to halt the trains in that area to PREVENT this very thing from happening. Union Pacific should file a lawsuit because I’ve heard that that truck was stuck for over an hour.
If the truck was there for any length of time, "someone mentioned an hour"! Then surely police or someone of "authority" was there. Why the Hell did no one call the emergency notification nmbr at the crossing? Idiotic police work!!
@@rogermosberger6856 because everyone claiming that the truck was stuck for over an hour merely "heard it" from someone else, so there's no actual proof it was stuck that long.
Low boys and low bellies should be banned. If you cant build it on site then it shouldnt be built. Cop stopped me the other in front of an elementary school and asked me why I stopped so far back from the white line (there is a light there). I told him so I can see the babies clear the street. These were babies about five, six or seven years old. I cant see them over the hood.
@robertmason7553 lmao. I'm sure they will build an excavator piece by piece at every construction site. Watermain breaks? Going to be a while have to build heavy equipment first. Then I guess you just leave it there.
When a truck is moving a large load such as this, they should be on the phone with the railroad. They would know the time frame when a train is due, and if anything goes wrong, the railroad would have plenty of time to stop the train. These guidelines were not followed, and people died. Someone will go to prison.
@rona4960 back in the day I was involved in Super Loads. DOT and highway patrol in attendance. Nothing moved until the ducks were lined up. Railroad tracks a half a block from the starting point.
If the state/ local authorities gave that route, they should be to blame. Also the truck was stuck for an hour, which was more than enough time for the train to stop
Lot of times train companies dont disclose when they are gonna be going through an area even with the call. Then anyone could call and get that info and do whatever they want with it i.e. derail the train
@@kotexconnection3804lol, these people can't usually spell and lack logic. The rr company is to also blame, same with the state that gave the route/permit, if the truck was stuck for an hour. They must've been contacted the rr company
@@F82_ where is your proof that someone contacted the RR company? RR crossings have an emergency number posted on a sign for you to call in the event you're stuck on the tracks. How do you know the truck was stuck for an hour? It's not the RR company's fault that some dingus was high-centered on their tracks.
The RR doesn’t know about the dang truck unless you call it in. They had an hour but didn’t call it in. So a train hits it. The railroad is not at fault one bit.
Why wasn't a warning given to the oncoming freight train?? Why was that semi allowed to remain on the tracks??? Who failed to do their jobs at cost of people's lives!!!
They were probably trying to cover their own as$ by not calling because, it could get reported to the trucking company's insurance company. So, they gambled & lost..That's just my guess, but, many catastrophes start off like that.
Almost everyone commenting here is wrong. If the Truck was on the State Approved Permitted route, and had sufficient ground clearance on his trailer according to the Permit, and he got stuck on the track, the only way the Trucking Company is liable is perhaps if they were sitting there for an hour without calling the number to report it to UP at the crossing. The Railroad has also been fighting a Bill that would make railroading safer, they don't want to spend the money for the improvements. Tisk Tisk. Everything isn't what it seems.
truck was there for 45 min from what I been hearing. Cops were there almost as long too. You think the local cops would know who to call if the truck company didn't know.
One thing that I have noticed over the years. When the RR companies replace the tracks where the road crosses, they raise them higher each time. The track below the house elevation has been raised by 3 feet in the past seven years. But they only put enough ramp over the tracks. I know railroads have they right away but also bear some responsibility when they do that too. I think there should be some kind of coordination between the RR and local governments to ensure the road raise also.
Sure, but a truck driver should know that some trailers can be high-centered on a railroad crossing, and should stop and check the clearance before attempting a crossing which is not flat.
@@GH-oi2jfI agree, but could have been changed since the last time he came thru? Looked like he was carrying a wind turbine base, so might be a wind farm near by. Also didn’t see a low clearance sign on news clips or on google maps.
Ok, so ‘By the grace of god’ that guy is alive but is it by the same ‘grace’ that the others lost their lives? Doesn’t everything happen according to god’s plan? Sorry, you can’t have it both ways…either god saved you and killed them or neither…and if it killed the others, what kind of god is that?!
@334honda they installed windmills all around where I used to live and they had to travel on a permitted route. If they had to change they had to get cleared to go of of the route. Just what I've been told. Worked at a company that built a 180 spreader bar going from Illinois to Canada. They had to had a designated route and they would have to stop until they could get cleared to use that route. They can't just drive anywhere. Still require a state permit for weight and route for every state passing through.
@@334honda This was not a solar, nor windmill part. This was for a oil extraction part. I see windmills shipped every day, and this is not one of them. The issue here is that they simply did not call the railroad ahead of time to let them know that they were going to cross the track at that time. That would had given the railroad time to stop or slow trains at that crossing to verify it was clear. I have been a railroad engineer for nearly 20 years, not with UP.
RIP to 2 rails. Hope the families get what they can from the negligent trucking company, authorities and even the RR (UPRR isn’t exactly kind to their employees). As a former Locomotive Engineer this is sickening. Thoughts and prayers to the families of the 2 rails.
@ the really sad part is I’m sure UPRR claims agents already are trying to settle with the families and/or get them to sign papers releasing them of liability. The whole thing is just sad.
The Truck driver should be charged with involuntary manslaughter for the deaths of the 2 train employees, yes I know there were many more involved with moving a big load like this over the road but as all truck drivers know, The driver has the final say regarding safety when on public roads and how did the driver let this happen is beyond me..
@@muffs55mercury61 Ultimately it's his decision to cross a grade like that and those that move those sort of loads are very experienced. He may have been following the designated route laid out but he will be held accountable for what happened. Sadly, his life as he knew it is over, those that chose that as a route will throw him under the train.
Gee, maybe the people hauling the huge pipe could have taken measurements of that RR crossing and determined the problem with the semi trailer ahead of time, then two Union Pacific Railroad employees could still be alive with us.
If they would had simply called the railroad to tell them that they were going to cross that track at that time, they could had told the crew to slow down and check that crossing.
@@g.w.7893 The cops were already there. Also, from first hand experience, 911 is useless for RR problems. By the time they figure out who to call it's too late. No idea why Emergency numbers for RR's aren't available to 911 Dispatchers.
If it’s true the truck was on the tracks, stuck for an hour , that’s criminal and disgustingly tragic. Once stuck the calls to the railroad to stop any trains is 100% paramount. If the truck is able to proceed or even back up off the tracks that’s great the stop the train demand can be reversed and no harm done. Side note… I’ve been in Alpine Texas near the college and Main Street while driving coast to coast freight many times. The speed of that train scared the hell outta me going through a residential/business and school area. It was smoking fast! I assume that Pecos train was probably the same. When there are high quality escort truck services like the video shows were on scene (supposedly) this isn’t supposed to be possible. Although it is videotaped that the pilot truck still didn’t know what to do even after impact it must be determined what that driver was doing to rectify the situation. Their phone should have been seized and they needed to be drug tested along with the semi driver same thing. Truckers that get these hauls are no slouches, somebody else caused this driver to get hung up somehow. I hate that his career is over and that truck will no longer haul sweet loads, at least by him (or her) video looked like a dude so….
If they would had just called the railroad.. they would had put a road crossing warning to the train crew to slow down and check that crossing and "be prepared to stop".
This truck driver knew the route in advance as they would have needed to get permits and so forth as you can see they had a police escort as well so they all knew the route well in advance as they don't just spring this stuff on you first thing in the morning and just a simple google maps and double checking any place they saw RR tracks with a street view would have shown the height difference and the driver could have questions things before even moving the load the next day.. Totally preventable ...
This train derailment and subsequent deaths are tragic but where did this girl learn to speak? "feet away from the epicenter where tragedy... killing two lives." She didn't get much public speaking in school. I hope the news station will put her through some training instead of just spitting out gibberish in front of a camera.
How long was the truck on the tracks before it was hit? That's an important piece of information. Need to train folks that as soon as they are stuck, go to the blue sign that is by every crossing and call the number on it. Goes straight to the railroad dispatchers who can warn the train the quickest.
Multi million dollar disaster and deaths caused by act of incompetence, and the truck driver decides to move his truck away from scene of accident, guy should be behind bars.
When hauling an oversize load in Texas, the state will provide you with a proposed route through their permitting system, which you then need to review and potentially survey physically to confirm its suitability for your load; essentially, you plan the trip with the state's guidance on the best route for your oversized cargo based on your provided load details. Driver's fault.
This is hwy 285, serving the west Texas oilfeilds. It's called the 'death highway' there were 93 deaths in 2017 for just a150 mile stretch of this highway. It's so heavily used by oilfield equipment trucks, that there is broken off truck tire tread every foot on the side of the road
The thing that angers me is the guys in the train cab had nothing to do with this, could see it coming, and could do nothing to stop. They literally had to sit there and watch the disaster unfold until the moment of impact when they list their lives.
How many idiots did it take to kill these 2 men? 1. The rail crew, that elevates the rail bed. 2. The hiway department that just slopes the hiway up to the elevated railbed. 3. The truck driver, who knows he cant cross that kinda elevated railbed. 4.The states permit office, that routed that special load over that elevated railbed. 5. The train engineer, who could see that stalled truck for 3 miles before he got to it. 6. The fools who thought sitting 15 feet in building from a million tons of speeding train, was a good idea. 7. The people who just watched it happen instead of calling the railroad and reporting it. I could go on, but no one person is 100% at fault here. It took a cast of idiots, years to set the stage for this accident.
I think the first point is a bit rough, it's done for a reason. They probably never imagined how ever many years down the road that an extremely long tractor trailer would traverse it
@@ILGuy2012 really? Do you know how many people has been killed by trains derailing and going through structures? It's time we pass laws removing those structures.
#5 and #6 totally wrong. #5- How do YOU know how far away the engineer could see? #6- That "building" that's 15 feet away USED to be a train station built in the late 1800's. Where else would the put it.
I seen another video of the train hitting the truck. That train was moving about 70 to 80 mph it seemed. The whole front of the train was lifted up off the tracks.
The train conductor needs to be able to see, live camera shots the intersections ahead of him. To be able to make decisions on what steps to take. Good and bad intersections. There also needs to be a cell phone number local and national, that is able to reach the conductor, like-911. Boxcars that can have an, back-up uncoupling device. To uncouple 5-6, boxcars at a time in 90- seconds.
As a locomotive engineer, that is just not going to happen. Too many crossings, and you are paying attention to how the train is operating. Besides, at 65mph, those crossing gates come down 13-21 seconds before the train gets there. Way too close to "pull the emergency". We have radios with our dispatchers for a reason. Because we are not to be distracted by cellphones while operating a train. I do not want any joe to be able to call me on a train and say "hey stop that thing" for no reason. I am trying to figure out your logistics of disconnecting boxcars at 55-70mph. Trains take 2 miles to stop. That simply makes no sense.
@@AbelG8781 Most probably the trailer dollies (landing gear) got stuck on the tracks or payment; once this happen is very difficult to disengage. As a former truck driver, anytime I was crossing train tracks I make sure my dollies (landing gear) were on the most upper position and if there was a hump on the tracks, I would drive very slow to make sure that if they touch ground, I back up.
@@AbelG8781 Well, obviously mistakes were made. The question is whose were the cause(s). The truck was routed over that crossing. It looked like it was stuck. So, the people who routed it are in the mix. Then, it was an oversize load. Presumably, permitted. So, the permitting authority is in the mix. Then, the driver and escorts tried to cross, even though it looked like the road had a crown at the crossing. So, they are in the mix. Then, once the truck was stuck, the PD had a duty to call in the blocked tracks. as did the driver, dispatcher and escorts. So, more in the mix. Finally, if it was called in, was the train dispatcher informed? So that the train traffic could be stopped. And if the dispatcher knew, was it passed along to the crew. And if the crew knew, did they get enough warning to stop? Even more people in the mix. And, was this crossing one that had a history of groundings? If so, that adds even more folks to the blame game that's about to start.
@@realmassconsumption Yeah. But, that does not say who screwed the pooch. An oversize load is permitted and has an assigned route. That they cannot deviate from. So, who ran the route first and determined that it was safe?
The truck was stuck on the crossing for 45 min to an hour. No one thought to call Union Pacific dispatch to warn them? The pilot truck guiding the over sized vehicle is at fault for not noticing that the oversized load truck might get stuck. Cops showed up on the scene shortly after the truck got stuck but none of them called the Railroad. (there are signs all around railroad crossings with phone numbers to call) Trains need a couple miles to stop but I would think 45 minutes would have been enough time had someone bothered to alert them.
I remember when a man got killed by a train in Barstow, Manuel Trujillo was his name, he was a popular guy in Pecos, he work in a spanish radio station in Pecos. 🤔
When can FMCSA and FRA come to an agreement to eliminate or standardize grade crossings. Was dynamic braking not implemented prior to impact?? I'd hope UP releases unit telematics prior to impact a minimum of one mile out.
This may be, No. It IS one of the worst train derailments and as a whole one if the worst train accidents in history. Period! My deepest condolences to the families of the crew of this train. They are ultimately abd unfortunately gonna have to celebrate the holidays with out their loved ones now.....
If the driver of the truck is not charged with these death justice will not be served . This no different then any driving offence where your actions cause the death of others . So far no news cover have inquired about driver or company in charge with this move or even what was the truck hauling? Ask questions news people this is bigger than just what happened to a building.
Crap reporting. Spinning it to sound like it was the railroads fault, when fault lies entirely with the trucker who got himself stuck on the grade crossing. There needs to be stricter regulations on drivers who pull lowboys/low clearance trailers.
How do so many trucks get caught on tracks like this, why isn’t someone out spotting the truck as it cross’s the track. How dumb are these people! Seriously.
Railroad companies in the US are now making trains longer and longer, to make more profits. When they derail, they cause far more damage today than 20 years ago. Some are as long as 22000 feet now, or over 4 miles. This one was i bet over 7000ft, and probably over 5000 tons. They used to be about 5500ft for a train of this type 15 years ago. Add in the companies not doing proper safety inspections and workers not getting time off, and it all adds up to poorly ran railroads today.
Do a google map search on the crossing and you can see multiple strikes in the pavement at the tracks of scrapes from low bed trailers hitting it. Texas is responsible for the roads and should have made this a safer crossing for trucks.
Answers!! Answers???? Here’s your damn answer!! A driver pulling a lowboy loaded with heavy cylinders approached a HUMPED RR X-ing and STUPIDLY elected to go for it!!! In the top 10 EPIC FAILS of truck drivers!!! Rest in eternal peace to those that tragically and NEEDLESSLY perished 😔🙏🕊️
Ground Zero…Epicenter…. What words these wannabe reporters use. Train derailment, it’s not like the train derailed on its own. The semi truck stuck on the tracks for how long? Oh and that truck driver spent all the time that would have prevented this tragic accident UN hooking his truck and moving it out of harms way. Arrestees need to be made and murder charges need to be filed with No Bond.
i watched the video of the crash that train was going to fast for being in a town and the people pass out permits need to get out from behind the desk R.I.P TO THOSE PEOPLE THAT DIED
Stupid truck driver, stupid emergency responders. There's an emergency 800 number right there on the crossing gate. And even if there wasn't a number use your common sense and call the railroad. Damn!
Need to go back to shorter and much lighter trains with more crew members. The last decade has seen the longest and heaviest trains in history and are half the staff members.😡
RIP to the crew, condolences to the families of all involved.
Blame is on multiple people. The oversized load that got high centered on the tracks had to have a permit from the state which specifies a route for that load based on it's dimensions. Ultimately the driver (I am a driver of 31 years) should have questioned whether the crossing was safe for that load.
That truck driver deserves prison time for this
if it is a state permit issued route. the driver has NO responsibility there. as by law the state should be measuring ALL permit load routes, and takes all responsibility before issuing such permits.
When hauling an oversize load in Texas, the state will provide you with a proposed route through their permitting system, which you then need to review and potentially survey physically to confirm its suitability for your load; essentially, you plan the trip with the state's guidance on the best route for your oversized cargo based on your provided load details. So much for being a truck driver for 30 years as a qualification for who's right and who's wrong huh😂
The driver probably going to not be held liable.. pretty sure his eyesight was limited... the pickup truck on point may be held accountable..
I was a escort driver for years on these same exact pieces for windmills ! I agree with you ! Most times the route is driven pre trip by a operator to check the states route determined.
From a Railroad family, my great uncle Railroaded from the 1950's to my pops Railroading for 38 years and myself Railroading for 25 years.. This really hurts me, Rest in Peace my Railroad Brothers.. from the Santa Fe / BNSF family.. 😔🙏🏼
@@CZR1951 why dont they fix the crossings properly? I've rode Amtrak, the railbeds are so rough, I dont see how the train stays on the track. And speeding through populated areas? Jesus, these things are guided missiles.
These news agencies all need to do better in situations like this. End with how to save something like this from happening!! The truck was stuck there for AN HOUR!! ALL crossings have an emergency blue sign to call in case something happens at that crossing. It links with the railroad and they can stop all rail traffic approaching that crossing!!!
Correct. Also, as part of the permitting process they need to have an emergency phone number to call the railroad company for situations like this. As part of the permitting process they were given a time slot of the truck going to cross the tracks. Somebody said the truck was stuck for almost an hour so that time slot had already expired. So question remains did somebody call the RR to explain that the truck is stuck on the tracks. That's something the news journalist should have asked.
If it is true they were there for an entire hour without notifying the railroad, Should be Vehicular Manslaughter charges at minimum. That train crew did not have to die. That Trucking company and anyone attached to is are done for, the Railroad and those Families are going to own every asset they have.
I have called the number on those boxes before to report issues with crossings, and never waited on hold more then 5 minutes, this goes for BNSF, UP, and CPKC railroad crossings.
Someone fucked up BIG time here.
The be fair, the role of news media is to observe and report. Findings shouldn't be pinned on them. What if they are wrong? They could be sued. Leave that to others more qualified.
Just like every other time something tragic like this happens, the officials will say something like "We didn't connect the dots....and We will need hundreds of millions more in public funding to work on this issue"
@@TheUtuber999It's an observation that the blue sign should have been followed.
My husband js a RR, seeing this just broke my heart 😢 i pray for my husband and other railroaders that they stay safe
Trains don't run into trucks
Trucks or vehicles run into trains
100 percent facts..
:45. Did she really say "killing two lives"?
Yes. It's Texas.
Riiight? 😂😂.
🤡reporting.
@@raygunsforronnie847 The LAUSD is one of the worst education districts in the entire country....but yeah, tExAs......1d1ot.
@@jc71480 Y'all racists need to go back to your whites-only caves.
They can't even pronounce the name of their town correctly!
It's PAY-COSE....
Pecos, like Pecos Bill.
I live in Pecos, New Mexico, I know what I am fuggin talking about!
😳
The truck driver and his team need to be charged significantly here. This is raw negligence. They had plenty of time to notify rail company or police that they had an issue on the tracks. These are some bungling idiots at work here, they need to pay.
They'll be sued into the stone age for sure.
@@g.w.7893 Jail time would not be to much to ask due to the deaths and damage. There are Signs at EVERY crossing that you call the Instant you are stalled on the tracks and EVERYONE has phones now!!
Lots of truck driver haters here. Easy to do if youve never taken any risks in your life. Self righteous hypocrites.
@@dannyfierro3870 I "AM" a Truck driver, Class B concrete mix truck driver. and I know, and my company has rules that IF for some reason my truck stalls on tracks. I CALL THE NUMBER!!! IMMEDIATELY before ANYTHING ELSE!!!!
This sure seems to happen a lot--truck "stalled" on the tracks?? Idiot drivers! 🤪
Another reminder of just how dangerous railroading is as a vocation. I did not mis-speak, I retired as a Locomotive Engineer after 30 years of service and there for the presence of good luck could have been me. My utmost condolence to 2 BROTHER railroad men who gave their lives in the performance of their duty. To their families and friends-my utmost sympathy and respect.Godspeed.
It's a rough go at Christmas.
@@junicohen7918 You said it all. So bloody preventable! I have nothing to add,except thank you for your compassion.
Yup, I did 33 years on the RR as a locomotive engineer. Been retired 18 years. I remember hitting the trucks. I truly feel sorry for the families. God bless them in their trying times.
I acknowledge it’s unrealistic but I wish RR X-ings never existed anywhere on Earth .. a seemingly endless number of catastrophes just waiting to happen 😔
@@reynaldomartinez7076 Another Brother! Thank You! What is so terrible,even beyond the deaths of OUR Brother Engineer and Conductor,is the fact that Christmas is ruined for the survivors,probably forever. I hope that at least,there are no young children in those 2 families. Take Care.
That’s not a pipe, it’s a distillation tower. Probably going to a chemical plant or a refinery. Extremely heavy
yep and $$$. Will take another 6 months to make another one/. What a mess.
@@Tom-f5q8e LOL a multi-million dollar 'pipe'....!!!!
Wind turbine
@@Rx-Needles Oil pipe, not windmills. Windmills are white in color.
Stupidity continues to grow
God is in control
Probably a DACA or illegal indian. Tons of those stinky peeps come through our building everyday.
@@AnnaAnnieAnneofGreenGablesobviously not
@@michaelturano7522 you really didn't have to say that!! Some of us turn to a higher power in tragic times
@@FloridaZoe305Well yeah, you said “higher power” not the highest power….. so still failure.
The CoC building looks like itself used to be a train station.
It’s a very pretty building. I looked it up, and it was built in 1881. It was the Texas and Pacific Railway Depot
This is ENTIRELY the trucking company’s fault. I speak for everyone when I say that. They should’ve called the emergency number that is placed on every crossing in the USA. They should’ve called that number to halt the trains in that area to PREVENT this very thing from happening. Union Pacific should file a lawsuit because I’ve heard that that truck was stuck for over an hour.
On the transponder box. A box at every crossing.
It’s also on the escort company. One must also consider why this load was permitted this route, as oversized loads will be given a route by the state.
If the truck was there for any length of time, "someone mentioned an hour"! Then surely police or someone of "authority" was there. Why the Hell did no one call the emergency notification nmbr at the crossing? Idiotic police work!!
Que !!!! No hablo engrish
@@rogermosberger6856 because everyone claiming that the truck was stuck for over an hour merely "heard it" from someone else, so there's no actual proof it was stuck that long.
Way way way too many semis get stuck on the tracks. Time to make the trucking industry accountable.
Time to fix the crossings!
Low boys and low bellies should be banned. If you cant build it on site then it shouldnt be built. Cop stopped me the other in front of an elementary school and asked me why I stopped so far back from the white line (there is a light there). I told him so I can see the babies clear the street. These were babies about five, six or seven years old. I cant see them over the hood.
@robertmason7553 lmao. I'm sure they will build an excavator piece by piece at every construction site. Watermain breaks? Going to be a while have to build heavy equipment first. Then I guess you just leave it there.
That is why when my ex-husband and I drove cross country in big rigs we drove cabovers, and I actually prefer them.
Cheaper to level the crossings in occupied areas with traffic but the railroads spend more money to fight doing it than doing it
"the grace of god we're still here" oh FFS
Go say that at the funeral of the people who died
they don't understand, they're alive because the building was made of brick
My thoughts exactly. People say that stuff without thinking.
Rest in peace to those that lost their lives. My heart goes out to their families 😢😢🙏🙏
When a truck is moving a large load such as this, they should be on the phone with the railroad. They would know the time frame when a train is due, and if anything goes wrong, the railroad would have plenty of time to stop the train. These guidelines were not followed, and people died. Someone will go to prison.
AHEM the driver and the company employees involved,
And of course you know these guidelines weren't followed
@rona4960 back in the day I was involved in Super Loads. DOT and highway patrol in attendance. Nothing moved until the ducks were lined up. Railroad tracks a half a block from the starting point.
If the state/ local authorities gave that route, they should be to blame. Also the truck was stuck for an hour, which was more than enough time for the train to stop
Lot of times train companies dont disclose when they are gonna be going through an area even with the call. Then anyone could call and get that info and do whatever they want with it i.e. derail the train
That trucking company is done. Praying for all.
praying does nothing
Likely escort company, as well.
@@kotexconnection3804lol, these people can't usually spell and lack logic. The rr company is to also blame, same with the state that gave the route/permit, if the truck was stuck for an hour. They must've been contacted the rr company
@@F82_ where is your proof that someone contacted the RR company? RR crossings have an emergency number posted on a sign for you to call in the event you're stuck on the tracks. How do you know the truck was stuck for an hour? It's not the RR company's fault that some dingus was high-centered on their tracks.
The RR doesn’t know about the dang truck unless you call it in. They had an hour but didn’t call it in. So a train hits it. The railroad is not at fault one bit.
Why wasn't a warning given to the oncoming freight train?? Why was that semi allowed to remain on the tracks??? Who failed to do their jobs at cost of people's lives!!!
Because the truck didn't call the number to notify the railway about being stuck on the track
Who failed? No one, this was a terrorist act. All went down as planed by the truck driver.
@@DraggonCanoe How do you know that?
If someone would have called the number on the blue sign, this would have never have happened. Yet, no one talks about it. Dumbfounding!
They were probably trying to cover their own as$ by not calling because, it could get reported to the trucking company's insurance company. So, they gambled & lost..That's just my guess, but, many catastrophes start off like that.
Almost everyone commenting here is wrong. If the Truck was on the State Approved Permitted route, and had sufficient ground clearance on his trailer according to the Permit, and he got stuck on the track, the only way the Trucking Company is liable is perhaps if they were sitting there for an hour without calling the number to report it to UP at the crossing. The Railroad has also been fighting a Bill that would make railroading safer, they don't want to spend the money for the improvements. Tisk Tisk. Everything isn't what it seems.
bingo
True but they always like to make drivers the scapegoats in matters like this.
truck was there for 45 min from what I been hearing. Cops were there almost as long too. You think the local cops would know who to call if the truck company didn't know.
0:48 We understand that Lily was excited to cover this news, but she and Joe Keese look happy relating the story. Wow!
Reminds me of the Don Henley song Dirty Laundry
Certainly the truckers fault, but there are multiple people including at least 2 police officers who could have called the number.
One thing that I have noticed over the years. When the RR companies replace the tracks where the road crosses, they raise them higher each time. The track below the house elevation has been raised by 3 feet in the past seven years. But they only put enough ramp over the tracks. I know railroads have they right away but also bear some responsibility when they do that too. I think there should be some kind of coordination between the RR and local governments to ensure the road raise also.
Sure, but a truck driver should know that some trailers can be high-centered on a railroad crossing, and should stop and check the clearance before attempting a crossing which is not flat.
@@GH-oi2jfI agree, but could have been changed since the last time he came thru? Looked like he was carrying a wind turbine base, so might be a wind farm near by. Also didn’t see a low clearance sign on news clips or on google maps.
And they go 70 mph through town...
So getting stuck on the tracks is the trains fault because it travels fast? Give your head a shake.
100% the moving companies job to ensure the route is safe and correct.
well somebody really screwed this up... where is the NTSB
Six NTSB investigators have been sent.
They showed up just because you asked
@rona4960 😎😊
where's "Mayor Pete"?
I think it's an open shut case you don't need the ntsb.
Ok, so ‘By the grace of god’ that guy is alive but is it by the same ‘grace’ that the others lost their lives? Doesn’t everything happen according to god’s plan? Sorry, you can’t have it both ways…either god saved you and killed them or neither…and if it killed the others, what kind of god is that?!
Those loads are permitted loades. They have to be authorized by someone.
But permits are for the load weight. They aren't given with any route given. These solar stuff needs a certain route only law.
@334honda they installed windmills all around where I used to live and they had to travel on a permitted route. If they had to change they had to get cleared to go of of the route. Just what I've been told.
Worked at a company that built a 180 spreader bar going from Illinois to Canada. They had to had a designated route and they would have to stop until they could get cleared to use that route. They can't just drive anywhere. Still require a state permit for weight and route for every state passing through.
@@334honda This was not a solar, nor windmill part. This was for a oil extraction part. I see windmills shipped every day, and this is not one of them. The issue here is that they simply did not call the railroad ahead of time to let them know that they were going to cross the track at that time. That would had given the railroad time to stop or slow trains at that crossing to verify it was clear. I have been a railroad engineer for nearly 20 years, not with UP.
Something very similar happened in Australia in January. I refuse to believe these accidents aren’t 100% avoidable after the truck gets snagged!
RIP to 2 rails. Hope the families get what they can from the negligent trucking company, authorities and even the RR (UPRR isn’t exactly kind to their employees). As a former Locomotive Engineer this is sickening. Thoughts and prayers to the families of the 2 rails.
Do you think Warren will extend his condolences to the families?
@ no since Buffet owns BNSF and this was a UP train.
@@ericgruber_guitarded OK, I thought he owned all of the major railroads.
@ all good. Wouldn’t surprise me if he, or Berkshire, end up owning a majority or at least are major shareholders. It’s pretty crazy.
@ the really sad part is I’m sure UPRR claims agents already are trying to settle with the families and/or get them to sign papers releasing them of liability. The whole thing is just sad.
RIP to the victims 😢
The Truck driver should be charged with involuntary manslaughter for the deaths of the 2 train employees, yes I know there were many more involved with moving a big load like this over the road but as all truck drivers know, The driver has the final say regarding safety when on public roads and how did the driver let this happen is beyond me..
you should calm your tits
Oh sure blame a low tier wage earner for everything under the sun. The driver likely had no idea that he could get stuck on the tracks.
@@muffs55mercury61 Ultimately it's his decision to cross a grade like that and those that move those sort of loads are very experienced. He may have been following the designated route laid out but he will be held accountable for what happened. Sadly, his life as he knew it is over, those that chose that as a route will throw him under the train.
What about all the cops who were on scene? They are emergency workers, don’t they know what to do in such an emergency?
Gee, maybe the people hauling the huge pipe could have taken measurements of that RR crossing and determined the problem with the semi trailer ahead of time, then two Union Pacific Railroad employees could still be alive with us.
If they would had simply called the railroad to tell them that they were going to cross that track at that time, they could had told the crew to slow down and check that crossing.
The train( UP ZAILA-18)was moving about 60 miles an hour when it collided with a semi truck that had been installed there for about 45-ish minutes
Plenty of time to call the number on the blue sign or 911 to connect with emergency services. Inexcusable.
@ this is true
@@g.w.7893 The cops were already there. Also, from first hand experience, 911 is useless for RR problems. By the time they figure out who to call it's too late. No idea why Emergency numbers for RR's aren't available to 911 Dispatchers.
May the families of those who lost their lives, find solace during this difficult time.
What a lousy Christmas
were all the hot news casters taken?
From what I understand the truck was stuck for 45 minutes and nobody thought to call the RR company and alert them??!!
How sad rip, conductor/engineer. 🙏🙏😭
COMPLETELY AVOIDABLE.
If it’s true the truck was on the tracks, stuck for an hour , that’s criminal and disgustingly tragic. Once stuck the calls to the railroad to stop any trains is 100% paramount. If the truck is able to proceed or even back up off the tracks that’s great the stop the train demand can be reversed and no harm done.
Side note…
I’ve been in Alpine Texas near the college and Main Street while driving coast to coast freight many times. The speed of that train scared the hell outta me going through a residential/business and school area. It was smoking fast! I assume that Pecos train was probably the same.
When there are high quality escort truck services like the video shows were on scene (supposedly) this isn’t supposed to be possible.
Although it is videotaped that the pilot truck still didn’t know what to do even after impact it must be determined what that driver was doing to rectify the situation. Their phone should have been seized and they needed to be drug tested along with the semi driver same thing.
Truckers that get these hauls are no slouches, somebody else caused this driver to get hung up somehow. I hate that his career is over and that truck will no longer haul sweet loads, at least by him (or her) video looked like a dude so….
All oversized loads having to cross railroad tracks,
Railroad personal should be present at all crossing,
To prevent this from happening!
If they would had just called the railroad.. they would had put a road crossing warning to the train crew to slow down and check that crossing and "be prepared to stop".
This truck driver knew the route in advance as they would have needed to get permits and so forth as you can see they had a police escort as well so they all knew the route well in advance as they don't just spring this stuff on you first thing in the morning and just a simple google maps and double checking any place they saw RR tracks with a street view would have shown the height difference and the driver could have questions things before even moving the load the next day.. Totally preventable ...
This was the product of "teamwork".
theres gunna be some big law suits here
Truck was stuck on the track for an hour with no notice given to the railroad.
So the truck driver needs to spend the rest of his life in prison. What goes through these morons minds?
This train derailment and subsequent deaths are tragic but where did this girl learn to speak? "feet away from the epicenter where tragedy... killing two lives." She didn't get much public speaking in school. I hope the news station will put her through some training instead of just spitting out gibberish in front of a camera.
she got her "journalism degree" from Tik Tok....or maybe she just slid into the job because she was such a popular "influencer"
Maybe she was simply reading off a teleprompter?
They seem to have been taught priority is on superlstives, exaggerration, and splitting infinitives. Been that way for years.
Condolences
How long was the truck on the tracks before it was hit? That's an important piece of information. Need to train folks that as soon as they are stuck, go to the blue sign that is by every crossing and call the number on it. Goes straight to the railroad dispatchers who can warn the train the quickest.
45 min to an hour. Cops were there almost as long. I blame the cops even more than the truck driver - all are at fault though.
If you are going to credit God for intervening and saving your life you must also credit him with intentionally killing two people.
That's logical, but people don't think that deeply. They speak with cliche's and confuse cliche's with actual thought.
It's a one way street with religion. Thank god for the good thing but a million people could have died and not one word is said about it.
Multi million dollar disaster and deaths caused by act of incompetence, and the truck driver decides to move his truck away from scene of accident, guy should be behind bars.
100% true there
When hauling an oversize load in Texas, the state will provide you with a proposed route through their permitting system, which you then need to review and potentially survey physically to confirm its suitability for your load; essentially, you plan the trip with the state's guidance on the best route for your oversized cargo based on your provided load details. Driver's fault.
Same thing in Nebraska and I bet Texas. Someone screwed up. Maybe a DEI hire.
This is hwy 285, serving the west Texas oilfeilds. It's called the 'death highway' there were 93 deaths in 2017 for just a150 mile stretch of this highway. It's so heavily used by oilfield equipment trucks, that there is broken off truck tire tread every foot on the side of the road
The thing that angers me is the guys in the train cab had nothing to do with this, could see it coming, and could do nothing to stop. They literally had to sit there and watch the disaster unfold until the moment of impact when they list their lives.
How many idiots did it take to kill these 2 men?
1. The rail crew, that elevates the rail bed.
2. The hiway department that just slopes the hiway up to the elevated railbed.
3. The truck driver, who knows he cant cross that kinda elevated railbed.
4.The states permit office, that routed that special load over that elevated railbed.
5. The train engineer, who could see that stalled truck for 3 miles before he got to it.
6. The fools who thought sitting 15 feet in building from a million tons of speeding train, was a good idea.
7. The people who just watched it happen instead of calling the railroad and reporting it.
I could go on, but no one person is 100% at fault here. It took a cast of idiots, years to set the stage for this accident.
I think the first point is a bit rough, it's done for a reason. They probably never imagined how ever many years down the road that an extremely long tractor trailer would traverse it
There is no issue with #6 when everything goes the way it's supposed to.
@@ILGuy2012 really? Do you know how many people has been killed by trains derailing and going through structures? It's time we pass laws removing those structures.
This is another one of those times when all the holes in the Swiss cheese lined up.
#5 and #6 totally wrong.
#5- How do YOU know how far away the engineer could see?
#6- That "building" that's 15 feet away USED to be a train station built in the late 1800's. Where else would the put it.
WHY didn't this obviously horrible truck driver sit on the tracks for an hour without contacting SOMEBODY in charge. I'd check on his papers.
Why you dont talk about the truck driver ????
Everybody here is
Two families are about to get paid but im sure they give it all back just to have one more day with their loved ones.
I seen another video of the train hitting the truck. That train was moving about 70 to 80 mph it seemed. The whole front of the train was lifted up off the tracks.
The max speed for freight engines is 70 mph so it’s quite possible
They will disregard safety over profits # lives lost because of greed plain and simple - condolences to the bereaved family
The train conductor needs to be able to see, live camera shots the intersections ahead of him.
To be able to make decisions on what steps to take. Good and bad intersections. There also needs to be a cell phone number local and national, that is able to reach the conductor, like-911.
Boxcars that can have an, back-up uncoupling device. To uncouple 5-6, boxcars at a time in 90- seconds.
There’s an 800 number on the crossing that goes straight to the dispatcher but apparent no one bothered
As a locomotive engineer, that is just not going to happen. Too many crossings, and you are paying attention to how the train is operating. Besides, at 65mph, those crossing gates come down 13-21 seconds before the train gets there. Way too close to "pull the emergency". We have radios with our dispatchers for a reason. Because we are not to be distracted by cellphones while operating a train. I do not want any joe to be able to call me on a train and say "hey stop that thing" for no reason. I am trying to figure out your logistics of disconnecting boxcars at 55-70mph. Trains take 2 miles to stop. That simply makes no sense.
Have they said the names of the two uprr workers that were killed? My son and daughters dad works for uprr. Prayers to all involved.
Good Evening Everyone !
So, why was the truck stopped on the tracks? And, had the PD called it in to the railroad to shut down the tracks?
Incompetence
The driver had a low boy flat bed hauling an over sized load. His trailer was so low to the ground that he “highpointed” on the tracks and got stuck.
@@AbelG8781 Most probably the trailer dollies (landing gear) got stuck on the tracks or payment; once this happen is very difficult to disengage. As a former truck driver, anytime I was crossing train tracks I make sure my dollies (landing gear) were on the most upper position and if there was a hump on the tracks, I would drive very slow to make sure that if they touch ground, I back up.
@@AbelG8781 Well, obviously mistakes were made. The question is whose were the cause(s).
The truck was routed over that crossing. It looked like it was stuck. So, the people who routed it are in the mix.
Then, it was an oversize load. Presumably, permitted. So, the permitting authority is in the mix.
Then, the driver and escorts tried to cross, even though it looked like the road had a crown at the crossing. So, they are in the mix.
Then, once the truck was stuck, the PD had a duty to call in the blocked tracks. as did the driver, dispatcher and escorts. So, more in the mix.
Finally, if it was called in, was the train dispatcher informed? So that the train traffic could be stopped. And if the dispatcher knew, was it passed along to the crew. And if the crew knew, did they get enough warning to stop? Even more people in the mix.
And, was this crossing one that had a history of groundings? If so, that adds even more folks to the blame game that's about to start.
@@realmassconsumption Yeah. But, that does not say who screwed the pooch.
An oversize load is permitted and has an assigned route. That they cannot deviate from. So, who ran the route first and determined that it was safe?
Where is the video from the building?
Human error! Way too many irresponsible people involved
RIP and such a waste of two lives! Imagine if that were an Amtrak train . . .
The truck was stuck on the crossing for 45 min to an hour. No one thought to call Union Pacific dispatch to warn them? The pilot truck guiding the over sized vehicle is at fault for not noticing that the oversized load truck might get stuck. Cops showed up on the scene shortly after the truck got stuck but none of them called the Railroad. (there are signs all around railroad crossings with phone numbers to call) Trains need a couple miles to stop but I would think 45 minutes would have been enough time had someone bothered to alert them.
How do people know that the railroad was not called or All of the details at this point?
These accidents in 2024 are so preventable.
I remember when a man got killed by a train in Barstow, Manuel Trujillo was his name, he was a popular guy in Pecos, he work in a spanish radio station in Pecos. 🤔
No call made to emergency RR number and truck was on track for an hour.
When can FMCSA and FRA come to an agreement to eliminate or standardize grade crossings. Was dynamic braking not implemented prior to impact?? I'd hope UP releases unit telematics prior to impact a minimum of one mile out.
This may be, No. It IS one of the worst train derailments and as a whole one if the worst train accidents in history. Period! My deepest condolences to the families of the crew of this train. They are ultimately abd unfortunately gonna have to celebrate the holidays with out their loved ones now.....
If the driver of the truck is not charged with these death justice will not be served . This no different then any driving offence where your actions cause the death of others . So far no news cover have inquired about driver or company in charge with this move or even what was the truck hauling? Ask questions news people this is bigger than just what happened to a building.
Ground zero?
“Well it’s a mess ain’t it sheriff?”
“If it ain’t it’ll do till the mess gets here”.
Two railroaders paid the price for a truckers stupidity!
Crap reporting. Spinning it to sound like it was the railroads fault, when fault lies entirely with the trucker who got himself stuck on the grade crossing. There needs to be stricter regulations on drivers who pull lowboys/low clearance trailers.
You are correct trains always have right of way. Meaning Union Pacific did nothing wrong.
No drivers bother to read the posted sign “Do Not Stop on Tracks”.
How do so many trucks get caught on tracks like this, why isn’t someone out spotting the truck as it cross’s the track. How dumb are these people! Seriously.
I hope that hauling company has A LOT of insurance.
Why TF does this happen so much in the USA???? Why? This is so rare in Australia, our gates operate in exactly the same way
Railroad companies in the US are now making trains longer and longer, to make more profits. When they derail, they cause far more damage today than 20 years ago. Some are as long as 22000 feet now, or over 4 miles. This one was i bet over 7000ft, and probably over 5000 tons. They used to be about 5500ft for a train of this type 15 years ago. Add in the companies not doing proper safety inspections and workers not getting time off, and it all adds up to poorly ran railroads today.
Do a google map search on the crossing and you can see multiple strikes in the pavement at the tracks of scrapes from low bed trailers hitting it. Texas is responsible for the roads and should have made this a safer crossing for trucks.
Answers!! Answers???? Here’s your damn answer!! A driver pulling a lowboy loaded with heavy cylinders approached a HUMPED RR X-ing and STUPIDLY elected to go for it!!! In the top 10 EPIC FAILS of truck drivers!!! Rest in eternal peace to those that tragically and NEEDLESSLY perished 😔🙏🕊️
Ground Zero…Epicenter…. What words these wannabe reporters use. Train derailment, it’s not like the train derailed on its own. The semi truck stuck on the tracks for how long? Oh and that truck driver spent all the time that would have prevented this tragic accident UN hooking his truck and moving it out of harms way. Arrestees need to be made and murder charges need to be filed with No Bond.
How many times does this same thing have to happen? Why are people still so dumb? 2 crew members are dead because of stupid people who never learned.
Very devastating
i watched the video of the crash that train was going to fast for being in a town and the people pass out permits need to get out from behind the desk R.I.P TO THOSE PEOPLE THAT DIED
These news people are freaking rookies.
Stupid truck driver, stupid emergency responders. There's an emergency 800 number right there on the crossing gate. And even if there wasn't a number use your common sense and call the railroad. Damn!
Lawsuits are coming their is no bridge over the railroad
Search for answers???
That's the way it is. 😒
What is there to investigate, just watch the video, the truck driver was at fault.
I guess everything is bigger in Texas especially a train derailment (sad😢)
Rip 🙏
I think my Christmas presents were in there
this was a load that should of been hauled by rail but railroads hate high and wides and charge excessively for them
Not true. It’s a load going where there is no rail service
A diminished I.Q. and a truck license is a deadly combination. Hope they close that trucking company down with law suits.
Union Pacific should sue because of the stupidity that is the trucking companies.
That is sad
I thought JD Vance was going to fix this
He is not in office yet. Biden's cronies are still there. Outgoing Pete is writing his resume.
Need to go back to shorter and much lighter trains with more crew members. The last decade has seen the longest and heaviest trains in history and are half the staff members.😡