Deadly Train Accident Kills Mother and 3-Year-Old

Jun 01,2016

A mother and daughter were killed in an Amtrak train accident Tuesday in Northern California. The woman, 30-year-old Vannessa Henriquez, was driving on Washington Boulevard in San Leandro when traffic came to a halt. Henriquez had driven her SUV onto the tracks, but traffic stopped before she could cross over them. When the railroad guard rails came down, the SUV was still trapped in traffic. That’s when the northbound Amtrak train heading to Sacramento crashed into it, killing Henriquez and her 3-year-old daughter Saidy.

The Amtrak’s 39 passengers were uninjured in the train accident. The Federal Railroad Administration is investigating the accident.

In 2015, there were 2,059 vehicle-train collisions in the U.S that resulted in 244 fatalities and 967 injuries. Drivers are 20 times more likely to die in a vehicle-train crash than in a crash involving another vehicle.

Follow these 6 safe driving tips for avoiding a train accident:

If you see a train coming down the tracks, do not race it to the crossing.
Remember that trains cannot stop quickly. Once emergency brakes are applied, a freight train traveling 55 mph takes a mile or more to stop.
Never drive around railroad gates that have been lowered.
Do not proceed through a railroad crossing if you’re unsure whether you can clear it before traffic stops.
If your vehicle stalls on the tracks and there is a train coming, get out immediately and move far away from the tracks.
Always expect a train. Freight trains do not operate on a set schedule.

“What happened to this woman and her child is devastating. If you ever find yourself having to drive across train tracks, use extreme caution and never cross unless you are sure it’s safe to do so,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today at (760) 777-7777 for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.