On Wednesday night, a man was struck and killed by a train in Atoka County, Oklahoma. The victim, 58-year-old James Littleton of Tushka, was hit by a Union Pacific train, while he was allegedly laying on the railroad tracks. There is no word on why Littleton was on the tracks, and this incident is likely still under investigation. KSWO News Channel Seven reports that the train was headed south with four engines and 70 cars.
Preventing Railroad-Related Fatalities
The St. Louis Post Dispatch reported on the disturbing trend of pedestrians getting struck by trains each year. Since most railroad-related deaths are preventable, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is reportedly striving to reduce rail-related fatalities. In addition to reducing collisions between trains and automobiles at rail-crossings across the country, the FRA is also seeking to reduce fatalities which involve pedestrians on the railway. Grade crossing collisions and trespass incidents make up the majority of all fatal railroad incidents.
Train Crash Facts
- Every 115 minutes, a person is struck by a train in the U.S.
- Almost 2,000 people are killed and injured at highway-railroad grade crossings every year.
- The majority of collisions with automobiles happen when trains are going less than 35 miles per hour.
Railroad Crashes in Texas
In November, 2012, we reported on the railroad crash that took four lives in Midland Texas. A train struck a tractor trailer that was carrying veterans and their families during a parade. With nearly 15,000 railroad crossings, there are more vehicle-railroad intersections in Texas than in any other state. There were 822 railroad crossing incidents for the three years prior to 2012, and Texas accounted for nearly 10 percent of all railroad crossing accidents across the nation.
After a Collision with a Train
If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision with a train, you should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. A lawyer can stay on top of official investigative developments and be your advocate during a difficult time. The skilled team at the Altman Legal Group can be reached at their offices in Wichita Falls, Texas and Lawton, Oklahoma at 800-772-0828 for free initial consultations. The team at the Altman Legal Group sends their deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Mr. Littleton.