An automobile-train collision Tuesday night that killed an Orem man has residents and city officials again questioning the safety of a railroad
crossing. And in Sandy, a Midvale woman was killed Tuesday afternoon after she was apparently unable to move her car off some railroad tracks.Killed in the accidents were:
Bart Bigler, 19, Orem.
Joyce Tetrick, 70, Midvale.
Orem Police spokesman Gerald Nielsen said Bigler was traveling west on 400 South at about 10 p.m. when he was struck by a northbound Amtrak passenger train at 1500 West. Bigler's car was demolished and he was killed on impact, Nielsen said. Bigler was traveling alone.
Traffic investigators are unsure why Bigler did not see the train, but they say the intersection has a history of automobile-train collisions. In June 1994, a father and daughter were killed at the same crossing when their car was struck by a train. Two years ago a semi-trailer truck collided with a train at the crossing.
"There are no control signals there, but there are stop signs on each side of the track," Nielsen said.
Lt. Rex Skinner, commander of Orem's traffic division, said the stop signs are inadequate protection. Also, the intersection is not lighted.
"That intersection needs to be protected more. At the minimum it needs flashing lights and probably a crossing arm," Skinner said.
However, Orem has no jurisdiction over rail crossings. All rail crossing improvements are done by the Utah Department of Transportation with state and federal funds.
"We've let (UDOT) know we're concerned, but there's not much else Orem can do but encourage them to move faster," said Keith Larsen, Orem traffic engineer. "We've put up all the signs we can."
Lillian Witkowski, UDOT railroad inspector, said the state's rail crossing diagnostic committee several months ago approved the crossing for an upgrade project. Normally, it takes about 12 to 18 months for the improvements to be
installed. "Once we program and set up the funding it's more or less out of our hands," Witkowski said.
Funding comes from UDOT, but construction and maintenance of crossings is done by railroad companies. The state receives about $1.5 million in federal funds annually for rail crossing upgrades, which allows the state to do less than 10 projects a year. Surface preparation has been completed at the 400 South and 1500 West crossing, but the equipment for flashing lights and crossing arms has not yet arrived.
Witkowski said people think warning signs are the answer, but many forget the signs are only good if they are obeyed.
"What we need out there the most is enforcement," she said. "We can put gates there, but we can't be out there and take people across the tracks. The people have a big responsibility in this."
The state offers a safety education program where UDOT officials go to schools, businesses and civic organizations to discuss the importance of rail crossing safety.
"We probably need more of that in Utah County," Witkowski said.
- Tetrick was crossing the tracks at the intersection at 9000 South and 300 West in Sandy when the warning arms came down in front and in back of her, according to Sandy Police Sgt. Brad Densley.
Witnesses say Tetrick appeared stuck on the busy street because she was boxed in by cars on both sides.
The southbound train was unable to stop and slammed into her car. There were no other injuries.