Passenger Trains > NTSB Report-Mar 15 1999 Accident..AP

Report Finds Faulty Gate in Crash
Sat Feb 2,10:00 PM ET
By BRANDON LOOMIS, Associated Press Writer

CHICAGO - Railroad crossing gates were not working correctly when an Amtrak train slammed into a tractor-trailer three years ago, killing 11 people and injuring more than 100, a police investigation found.


A crash reconstructionists' report released Friday said truck driver John Stokes was "physically impaired by extreme sleep deprivation or fatigue," but did not try to go around the lowered gates.

Stokes is awaiting trial on charges of driving longer than permitted without sleep in a 24-hour period and not keeping his driver's log updated. Stokes' attorney, Leonard Sacks, said the report confirms that his client did not cause the crash.

"That was the accusation at the time that everyone was making," Sacks said Saturday. "That's now been proven to be false."

The National Transportation Safety Board is expected to approve and release its own findings, as well as safety recommendations, in Washington on Tuesday, board spokesman Ted Lopatkiewicz said.

The Illinois State Police report said the tractor-trailer carrying 37,000 pounds of steel reinforcing bars was traveling at 15-20 mph as it approached the crossing in Bourbonnais, about 50 miles south of Chicago, on March 15, 1999.

Amtrak's southbound City of New Orleans was traveling 79 mph when it slammed into the flatbed trailer and derailed.

The report says Stokes drove past flashing red lights, but that the crossing gate did not descend until he was on the tracks. The gate then struck the side of the trailer.

NECJerry wrote:
> The report says Stokes drove past flashing red lights, but that
> the crossing gate did not descend until he was on the tracks.

This creep still should have stopped for the lights. But he was too sleepy for driving excessive and unlawful hours. Also busy buying fuel with cash trying to avoid a paper trail. Enforcement of people like this: a joke.

Hang him.

That is sad! Now it's OK to drive by flashing red lights at a crossing?
I have seen truckers do the same thing (on a slow moving way freight) and manage to break the gates off half way down the trailer.

NECJerry posted:
>
> Report Finds Faulty Gate in Crash
> >
> A crash reconstructionists' report released Friday

> Stokes' attorney, Leonard Sacks, said the
> report confirms that his client did not cause the crash.

> The National Transportation Safety Board is expected to approve
> and release its own findings,
>
> The Illinois State Police report said the tractor-trailer
> carrying 37,000 pounds of steel reinforcing bars was traveling
> at 15-20 mph as it approached the crossing in Bourbonnais,
> about 50 miles south of Chicago, on March 15, 1999.
>
> Amtrak's southbound City of New Orleans was traveling 79 mph
> when it slammed into the flatbed trailer and derailed.
>
> The report says Stokes drove past flashing red lights, but that
> the crossing gate did not descend until he was on the tracks.
> The gate then struck the side of the trailer.

After reading this carefully, How many reports are we talking about? It is not the NTSB report, and it is pretty vague as to who the "crash reconstructionist" works for. The findings are inconclusive in my mind. When a gate is activated the lights flash for a bit and the gates lower, that would not be a malfunction. Those flashing lights that he did not see because he was impaired are no differant than a stop light. I love when the press strives to get the story right!

NECJerry wrote:
>
> The report says Stokes drove past flashing red lights, but that
> the crossing gate did not descend until he was on the tracks.
> The gate then struck the side of the trailer.

The Lousisana Office of Motor Vehicles web site is at:

http://omv.dps.state.la.us/

The Driver's Guide is at:

http://www.dps.state.la.us/omv/driversguide.html

and the (very COMPLETE) section on Railroad Crossings is at:

http://www.dps.state.la.us/omv/chapter5.pdf

I quoted some of this page below. The main point:

"Stop when the light begins flashing and before the gates are lowered."

RAILROAD GRADE CROSSINGS
Louisiana law requires that the driver of any motor vehicle must stop within 50 feet but no less that 15
feet from the nearest rail of a railroad crossing when:
1. A signal device is flashing and a train is approaching.
2. A crossing gate is lowered.
3. A train gives a warning signal and is an immediate hazard due to its speed or nearness to the crossing.
4. A train is approaching so closely as to create an immediate hazard.

After stopping, the driver shall not proceed to cross the tracks until he can do so safely. Railroad grade
crossings are marked with warning devices for you protection. Watch for and respect these devices.
Louisiana law prohibits any driver from stopping a vehicle on railroad tracks. Never get trapped on a
crossing. If your vehicle is in a line of vehicles approaching a railroad grade crossing, you should not
attempt to cross the tracks unless you are certain that your vehicle can safely cross to the other side of
the tracks. If your vehicle becomes pinned between two vehicles or stalls in the path of an oncoming
train, get out and move in the direction toward the approaching train away from the tracks.

Advance Warning - signs tell you to look, listen and slow down. You may
have to stop. Watch for vehicles that must stop at railroad crossings.
Drivers of vehicles carrying passengers for hire, school buses or trucks, or
any vehicle carrying explosives or flammable liquids must stop at railroad
crossings. DO NOT PASS THEM unless it is legal to do so and there are
no unsafe conditions. You should have a clear view of the tracks.

Gates are used with flashing signals at certain
crossings. Stop when the light begins flashing
and before the gates are lowered. Remain
stopped until the gates are raised. Never
drive around the gates. It’s against the law
to drive through or around any crossing gate
at a railroad crossing.