Missouri Train Crashes into Car - 10-Year Old was Driving

A tragic automobile-train accident took an unusual turn when the driver of the motor vehicle turned out to be a 10 year-old child.  The car held four other children and one licensed driver, 31-year old Erin Graves of Chula, Missouri when the accident happened.  The driver saw the train as the car was crossing the tracks and attempted to accelerate, but did not make it across the tracks before being struck by the freight train. 

Initially, Graves claimed he was driving, but later indicated the 10-year old was operating the car.  Graves is the father of the 10-year old driver.  Fortunately, no one was injured in the accident, however, according to the sheriff's department, if the car had been a fraction of a second slower, the outcome could have been much different.

Of course, we frequently review the dangers of railroad crossings and the liklihood of injury or death in accidents involving trains, but a crash involving a 10-year old driver is most unique.  Both Kansas and Missouri have very clear laws regarding the ages that our citizens can begin to drive as well as rules for the number of passengers and ages of those passengers in the vehicle.  Obviously, in this situation, those laws were completely ignored and Graves has been charged with five counts of endangering the welfare of the child.

As experienced Kansas City Auto Injury Attorneys, we would like to remind everyone to follow your state laws regarding who is allowed to operate a vehicle and please be careful at railroad crossings. 

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury in an automobile accident in Kansas or Missouri, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Call experienced Kansas City Personal Injury Lawyer James Roswold. With over 15 years of experience in Auto Injury Accidents as well as Child Injury cases, we may be able to help you and your family get through this difficult time.

Contact Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys to set up a free consultation. You can get started today by downloading our free book, "10 Essential Steps to Protecting Your Injury Claim". We want you to know your rights.