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Train struck disabled truck as CHP was on way to scene
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More from County NewsTwo California Highway Patrol officers were responding to a report of a disabled big rig too close to the train tracks outside Moorpark moments before an Amtrak train hit it Tuesday, CHP officials said.
California Highway Patrol Capt. Cliff Williams said a call came in from a driver who saw the truck on a gravel embankment off Highway 118 at 9:20 p.m., six minutes before a Goleta-bound train hit the truck.
The call was assigned to the officers at 9:21 p.m. and the train collision was reported at 9:26 p.m., Williams said. Officers arrived at the scene at 9:33 p.m.
The truck was abandoned at the time of the crash, and police are still looking for the driver.
The train hit the cab of the truck, which was parked parallel to the tracks facing the northbound train. The train pushed the truck about 15 feet, stopping adjacent to mile marker 14 on eastbound Highway 118, between Mejico Creek and Balcom Canyon, said CHP officials.
Tom Devlin was traveling from Somis to Moorpark when he saw the truck and a cloud of dust. He said he smelled burning rubber. Devlin thought the truck had made a hurried stop into the gravel slope.
He called 911.
"It was my opinion if a train came it would definitely be struck," Devlin said. "He was not just parking there for the night."
Williams said it is not CHP's protocol to notify Amtrak or to review the train schedule after learning of an incident like this. But Devlin said he thinks the CHP should have alerted someone on the train.
"They ought to have the phone number to notify the operator of the train line," he said.
Meanwhile, police are still trying to locate the driver of the 18-wheeler, which is registered to a man in Hayward. There is conflicting information on who was driving at truck most recently.
The 785 train left Los Angeles about 8 p.m. carrying 150 passengers and three crew members.
There were no injuries, and passengers reported the impact of the crash was slight, aside from the train braking quickly.
Posted by mousewords on October 26, 2007 at 12:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh, that's scary. I've been on the train when it was "braking quickly" due to an obstruction on the crossing; quite the adrenaline rush. Thank heaven no one was hurt!
Posted by AnnaWhaat on October 26, 2007 at 6:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I do agree with the article though. There should be a phone number for the CHP or whoever to call and notify the train company. REGARDLESS of whos job it is to do so ..... it could save lives....
Glad no one was hurt. Thank God !
Posted by Nosmo_King on October 27, 2007 at 8:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Over a year ago a truck hauling collectable sports cars got stuck on the tracks by the fairgrounds. it was there for over 10 minutes. A train came along and wiped it out. Because of that, I cringe every time I see a school bus stop at RR crossings and then lumber across hoping it doesn't stall or break a driveline component.
Posted by justdboy on October 30, 2007 at 9:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nosmo,
That is why the law is in place where a school bus or truck with haz-mat load is not to change gears when crossing the tracks.
Posted by lori on November 12, 2007 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't think it's the CHP's responsibility to call. Amtrak should have an emergency number posted near the train tracks for citizens to call asap
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