Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Safety Headquarters Assigned Accident Investigation Report HQ-2007-51, New Mexico Rail Runner Express (NMRX), Los Chavez, New Mexico, September 18, 2007

摘要

At approximately 6:01 p.m. on September 19, 2007 NMRX Train No. 513, a westbound (geographic south) commuter train traveling 79 mph struck a 1996 red Subaru Outback vehicle at a highway/rail grade crossing near Los Lunas, NM. The collision occurred at Milepost 926.40, DOT Crossing No. 019467H on the main track. The impact resulted in the death of a 60 year old male driver, the sole occupant and driver of the vehicle. The weather at the time was clear and the temperature was approximately 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The view approaching the crossing from the west is clear and unobstructed in both directions and provides access to two family dwellings, one of which was the victims. The estimated monetary damages were listed as $4,013.65 and did not meet the monetary threshhold as listed in 49 CFr Part 225.119 (c). The primary cause of the accident is failure of the driver of the vehicle to yield to an oncoming train and driver inattentiveness.