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.
A Houston auto accident 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/
