2 Injured In Head-On Crash In Houston
Traffic control devices are in place for a reason, especially when a train is approaching. When a driver disregards them, they can cause a serious accident.
This recently happened in Houston. Two people, including a Houston police SWAT officer, were injured in a head-on accident on the morning of January 5 at Hempstead and Little York.
The officer’s patrol vehicle was heading west and had the right of way on a green light when a Lexus that was traveling south collided head-on with the officer. The accident occurred because the Lexus disregarded the train arms and a red light. Both are emergency traffic control devices that are to be followed by drivers.
The SWAT officer suffered chest pains and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. He is expected to make a full recovery. A driver and passenger in the Lexus were taken to a local hospital. The female passenger suffered critical injuries, while the driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver showed no signs of intoxication but police will be running more tests. The driver was charged with reckless aggravated assault, a second-degree felony that carries penalties of up to 20 years in prison. The charges could be upgraded.
At the time of the crash, the police officer was not responding to a call. Speed was not a factor. The crash is under investigation.
Railroad Crossing Safety Tips
Lately, there have been many reports of drivers not stopping at railroad crossings when the arms are down. They are in a hurry, so they go around them. This is not a safe maneuver. The vehicles try to race the train, and most of the time, they lose. And when they lose, they are hit by a speeding train, causing catastrophic or fatal injuries.
Avoid being a victim. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind when around a railroad crossing:
- Never drive around lowered gates. This is not only illegal but also deadly.
- Never race a train to the crossing. This is a situation in which even if you tie, you lose.
- Don’t get trapped on the tracks. Only go through a crossing if you are sure you can completely clear it.
- Get out of your vehicle if it stalls. If a train is coming, get out immediately and move away from the tracks so you don’t get hit by debris.
- Be aware that trains cannot stop quickly. It takes a mile for a freight train moving at 55 miles per hour to stop once the emergency brakes are applied.
- Expect a train at any time. Trains do not typically have a regular schedule. Be cautious at a crossing any time of the day or night.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
Drivers need to follow traffic signals at all times. The vehicle in this case was lucky that a train did not hit it. That likely would have been fatal.
An attorney from The West Law Office, PLLC can help you get compensation for someone else’s negligence. Fill out the online form or call (281) 347-3247 to schedule a free consultation.
Source:
click2houston.com/news/local/2023/01/05/hpd-officer-among-2-hurt-in-major-crash-involving-police-vehicle-in-nw-houston-police-say/
