Motorist Killed After Crashing Into Union Pacific Train in Poplar Bluff, MO

October 20th, 2010 |

POPLAR BLUFF, MO – On October 16, 2010 a man was killed while driving a pickup truck through a railroad crossing and crashing into an oncoming Union Pacific train in Poplar Bluff, MO.

Union Pacific train crash with pickup truck in Poplar Bluff, MO on October 16, 2010.

Poplar Bluff is in Butler County, Missouri in southeastern part of the state about 154 miles southwest of St. Louis.

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The tragic accident occurred shortly after 3:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon at the railway crossing on County Road 314, near County Road 305 just outside Poplar Bluff, MO. Missouri Highway Patrol reports indicate that the victim drove his truck into the path of a Union Pacific locomotive.

The Union Pacific train was traveling northbound at the time. It is believed that the victim was traveling westbound on County Road 314, but authorites are not certain.

Location of train crash with truck at the railroad crossing on County Rd 314 near County Rd 305 near Poplar Bluff, MO.

The victim was identified as Poplar Bluff resident, Arnold Jones, 61 years old, who died at the scene. The collision appears to be an accident, according to authorities. Jones was the only person in the truck, and there were no other injuries to railroad workers reported.

The railroad crossing was marked with cross bucks. These kinds of crossings do not have signals or crossing arms. Local residents have requested a gate at this crossing but Highway Patrol Officer Sgt. Dale Moreland says in a news video from KFVS Heartland News Channel 12, “It’s an impossibility to put crossing arms at every crossing.”

Sgt. Moreland said that it was likely that Jones ended up with the sun in his eyes. The same newscast also reported that in Missouri this year there have been 30 accidents involving trains and 5 of them have been deadly.

Veteran engineers with Union Pacific say that it is hard (for motorists) to judge how fast a train is moving. They are now trying to reach motorists with the “look, listen and live” slogan and ask motorists to take extra caution every time they cross the tracks.

The accident is currently under investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the coroner’s office and the railroad company. Coroner Jim Akers says they are still investigating, but, although it appears Jones died as a result of his injuries, the coroner’s office may conduct an inquest as part of the investigation.

Published by FELA lawyer Gordon, Elias & Seely, LLP