Did the train just barely hit the back of the trailer? Were those injured and killed hit by the trailer after the train knocked the trailer into them? IDIOT trucker deserves prison time for being criminally stupid. (I wonder if someone yelled, "Go ahead, you can make it!" to the trucker so that they would keep up with the parade.)

The DailyMail has the story. The RR Crossing lights were working and the driver of the truck ignored them driving onto the tracks in front of the rapidly approaching train. The driver did not make it across the tracks before the train hit the rig.

My comment would be why did the driver of this float allow it to be stopped on the tracks?! I would never, never, EVER stop on the railroad tracks! If someone is in front of me, I make sure there's enough clearance on the other side of the track before I attempt to cross it. Make sure the float in front of me kept going. Not until my float could clear the track without stopping would I attempt to drive across. That way I wouldn't have to worry about being forced to stop while I'm sitting on the tracks! I'm just sayin'.

Were there no RR Crossing warnings or barriers? Or if so did the driver ignore them? How did this happen?

This is indeed a very tragic accident. To survive the war and die on American soil is just not fair. May those brave warriors rest in eternal peace.

Where did the 70 mph train speed limit hogwash come from? Effective Begin-Date of Record: 01/01/11 Initiating Agency State Crossing No.: 796331L In Midland Street or Road Name: GARFIELD Quiet Zone: 24 hour Maximum Time Table Speed: 15 mph Traffic Light Interconnection/Preemption: Simultaneous Preemption

Grumpy clean up the system? we cant stop on a dime and if the city did not let the railroad know about heavy pedestrian traffic in that area for Union Pacific to issue a slow order to the crew then its would not be the railroads fault! At the rate of 62 mph it would take over a mile to stop the train even after using the emergency brakes. I really hate to say this but you people need to look out at crossings and always expect a train.

In this day of hi-tech, you'd think they'd have better warning and protection systems in place at all these rail crossing. The Crossing gates should close early enough to give the train time to stop then there needs to be a way to alert the engineer that the tracks aren't clear so he can stop. I love the rail lines as I think its the most efficient way still to transport freight and people but they really need to clean up their system. There has got to be a lot more to this story, though...it just doesn't make sense.

So sorry.