Mobile car collides with train, man dies, neighbors say ‘accidents can be prevented’ – WKRG News 5

MOBILLE, Alabama (WKRG) – The Mobile Police Department is investigating a train crash that killed a man Saturday morning on Forest Hill Drive. Near the tracks, he has two districts, where residents claim accidents of this kind are preventable.

Mobile police and mobile fire and rescue teams headed to the Forest Hill Drive railroad crossing near Pinewood Drive around 10:30 a.m. and upon arrival found the 29-year-old driver dead in the crash.

“It’s terrible, it’s sad,” said neighbor Javier Torres.

Torres, who lives in front of the railroad tracks, knew something was wrong when he noticed a mobile fire and rescue vehicle parked in his front yard. As he stepped out, he saw a blue Nissan Altima destroyed, with airbags deployed and windows shattered.

He walked the trail and took pictures of what he saw.

“The train was coming very fast,” Torres said. “[It] Hit the car – drug the car for at least half a mile. He saw the man, but the man was gone. “

Neighbors on the outskirts of Forest Hill Drive said they were concerned about the constant occurrence of these types of crashes.

Nancy Patterson said she was worried because the railroad crossing right by her house didn’t have the traditional red and white safeguards that alert drivers to an approaching train.

She said adding safety arms to railroad crossings could save lives.

“I think the bars will stop people from trying to beat the trains,” Patterson said. “And on other trucks a block away from us they have their arms crossed, but I don’t see why they don’t on ours.Forest Hill His drive has a lot of traffic.”

Both Torres and Patterson said they have solutions to prevent future crashes.

“Okay, stop,” Patterson said. “Don’t try to beat the train.”

“If they try to put down their weapons,” Torres said. “It’s much better because no one can go through the arm. And if they try it, they’re stupid.”

As the case is under investigation, the police have not released the name of the person who died in the accident.