June 14th, 2011 | 
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PLANADA, CA – Steven Miller, a 23-year-old from Trinity County who was staying in Planada, was killed on Monday, June 6, by an Amtrak passenger train traveling 70 mph near Childs Avenue and Santa Fe Drive. He was believed to be chasing his dog, said Deputy Tom MacKenzie, a sheriff’s spokesman.
Miller’s death occurred along a stretch of railroad tracks notorious for pedestrian traffic and has some residents questioning whether safety improvements are needed to prevent future incidents.
A week before, a 41-year-old man was killed as he drove over a private railroad crossing between Arboleda and Plainsburg roads.
The two fatalities are only the most recent tragedies to occur on railroad tracks in the Planada area. The death of a 10-year-old boy who was killed while walking near the tracks in 2006 still haunts many residents.
Map showing location of fatal train accident in Planada, CA where a 23 year-old man was killed Monday, June 6, 2011 near the intersection of Santa Fe Drive and Childs Ave.
Merced Sun-Star reports:
The fact is railroad accidents happen too frequently, despite warning signs and enforcement efforts.
Law enforcement has occasionally conducted railroad crossing stings, using officers in the air and on the ground to spot people crossing the tracks illegally. One such sting in 2006 resulted in 15 citations over a four-hour period. But punitive measures shouldn’t be the only solution. It’s clear that ongoing education efforts about railroad safety are needed in Planada, and likely throughout Merced County. Local schools and civic organizations should redouble efforts to teach railroad safety in classrooms and in communities. One possibility would be to increase visits by Operation Lifesaver, an organization that sends volunteers to provide rail safety presentations to schools, clubs and other organizations throughout California.
Furthermore, it’s obvious that more discussion is needed at the local level about the unmet transportation needs of Planada residents — Merced County government should work with the civic leaders on Planada’s municipal advisory council to determine why so many people are crossing the railroad illegally.
Through education and awareness, we should be able to all but eliminate the number of tragedies occurring along Merced County railroad tracks.
California ranked first in 2010 for pedestrian railroad trespassing fatalities, with 66 deaths reported in the state. There were 451 deaths nationwide, according to Federal Railroad Administration statistics.
Related search:
California Man Killed by Amtrak Train While Chasing His Dog Across Tracks
Railroad Safety a Big Concern in Planada
Published by FELA lawyer news blog at Gordon, Elias & Seely, LLP.
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