Passenger Trains > Video of Amazon van that was hit at a crossing

TMZ released video from inside an Amazon Van that was hit by Amtrak at a crossing 2 years ago in Milwaukee.

From the article
The driver's name is Alexander Evans, and somehow ... he survived the direct hit -- which completely bisected his vehicle ... and quite literally leaving it cut in half with 2 big chunks.Like we said, based on the pictures alone -- it's a miracle Evans escaped this nightmare relatively unscathed ... and that goes doubly after you watch the whole from his perspective inside the actual van. That POV is seen in this footage we got ... and it's insane.

https://www.tmz.com/2024/02/21/new-video-amazon-van-hit-by-train-milwaukee-seen-inside-view/



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/21/24 10:30 by Spoony81.

So, he never bothers to look down the railroad tracks before crossing them?

Got it...

I guess he was wearing his seatbelt...............

Lucky to live.

I wonder how long Amazon took to fire him?

Are you kidding, the guy is a district manager now!
ts1457 Wrote:
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> Lucky to live.
>
> I wonder how long Amazon took to fire him?

First thing I noticed were no visible grade crossing crossbucks, signs Or lights.
john

SeaboardMan Wrote:
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> First thing I noticed were no visible grade
> crossing crossbucks, signs Or lights.
> john

Watching the forward facing dashcam, the crossing was also at an angle, and it might have been hard for him to see to his left. Still should've been more careful



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/21/24 12:58 by Spoony81.

Still just crossbucks at that crossing.  It's River Valley Road on the East side of Ixonia.
That's just West of Oconomowoc.  I saved an image off the video.  You can kinda make out
the engine through his side window.  If only he would have swung out more, he would have had a better view West.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/21/24 22:58 by mp51w.

---

I had an incident once where a vehicle disintegrated around a driver that survived when the wreckage would indicate he never had a chance.  This one takes the cake however.

Driver said in an interview he deaf in the left ear and only heard it at the last moment.  You can tell it is a difficult place as far as visibility, and he obviously should have been more careful.  But this is on VERY lucky fellow.

This video, along with news coverage from the time, are on the tube of you.

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/21/24 12:59 by MaryMcPherson.

Looks like from the video that aired at the time of the crash there are stop signs on the crossbucks. Probably easier to look if you actually stop before crossing.

OliveHeights Wrote:
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> Looks like from the video that aired at the time
> of the crash there are stop signs on the
> crossbucks. Probably easier to look if you
> actually stop before crossing.

Just watched the dash cam from the link above and I didn't see any stop signs on the crossbuck but with window reflection it was hard to tell



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/21/24 13:51 by Spoony81.

Do people not understand crossbucks?

Posted from Android

According to some information posted elsewhere, the driver stated that he has no hearing in his left ear and diminished hearing in the other ear. How does a person with hearing loss obtain a Commercial Drivers License?

HotWater Wrote:
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> According to some information posted elsewhere,
> the driver stated that he has no hearing in his
> left ear and diminished hearing in the other ear.
> How does a person with hearing loss obtain a
> Commercial Drivers License?

He was driving a van, shouldn't need a CDL for that

Spoony81 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> HotWater Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > According to some information posted elsewhere,
> > the driver stated that he has no hearing in his
> > left ear and diminished hearing in the other
> ear.
> > How does a person with hearing loss obtain a
> > Commercial Drivers License?
>
> He was driving a van, shouldn't need a CDL for
> that

He worked for Amazon, and was driving an Amazon "commercial" vehicle, thus he would need a CDL.

HotWater Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Spoony81 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > HotWater Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > According to some information posted
> elsewhere,
> > > the driver stated that he has no hearing in
> his
> > > left ear and diminished hearing in the other
> > ear.
> > > How does a person with hearing loss obtain a
> > > Commercial Drivers License?
> >
> > He was driving a van, shouldn't need a CDL for
> > that
>
> He worked for Amazon, and was driving an Amazon
> "commercial" vehicle, thus he would need a CDL.

Please Jack, you provide a lot of great information. Please stick to those things you know about.

A vehicle being classified as a commercial vehicle (at least in most states) has nothing to do with driver license requirements. It has to do with vehicle licensing, registration, parking, access, and road restrictions. For example, in California, most if not all pickups are classified as commercial vehicles by the DMV. But any Tom, Dick or Harry can drive them.

In California, these are the requirements for when a driver must have a commercial drivers license:

• A single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more
• A combination of vehicles with a total GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more.
• A vehicle towing another vehicle or trailer with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more
• A vehicle transporting hazardous materials requiring a placard
• A vehicle transporting any hazardous waste.
• A vehicle towing two or more other vehicles or trailers.
• A vehicle with 3 or more axles and weighting more than 6,000 pounds.

I can guarantee that the Amazon package delivery vans, fully loaded, weight no where near 26,000 pounds.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/22/24 13:31 by longliveSP.

1) This crash did NOT occur in California, but just outside of Milwaukee.

2) He was NOT driving a pickup, but a commercially licensed Amazon van.

HotWater Wrote:
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> 1) This crash did NOT occur in California, but
> just outside of Milwaukee.
>
> 2) He was NOT driving a pickup, but a commercially
> licensed Amazon van.

It is best if you just stop responding. You are making yourself look bad.

https://wisconsindot.gov/pages/dmv/com-drv-vehs/cdl-how-aply/cdloverview.aspx

HotWater Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 1) This crash did NOT occur in California, but
> just outside of Milwaukee.
>
> 2) He was NOT driving a pickup, but a commercially
> licensed Amazon van.

You don't need a CDL to drive the van. Do some googling



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/22/24 14:01 by Spoony81.

He probably wasn't even an Amazon employee, but working for one of their DSPs.