Train Accident in Kansas City Missouri Kills Elderly Woman

A train versus car accident occured at 135th Street and Holmes Road at 7:30 a.m., Tuesday morning.  The victim, whose identity has not been released, was heading westbound when she was struck by a northbound train at the crossing.  Witnesses say the woman drove around the lowered crossing gates, cleared the tracks, then appeared to back up and stop in the middle of the crossing.

The woman and her dog were both fatally injured at the scene.  Police are still investigating, but indicated that there could be reasons why the woman backed onto the tracks, including suicide.

Accidents involving trains and cars are often deadly.  The size and weight of the train, rate of speed and inability to quickly stop makes maneuvering virtually impossible for the engineer of the train.  In this case, however, it appears the driver had other motives considering the eyewitness accounts that she went around the crossing gates and stopped in the middle of the tracks.

At Roswold Law Group Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, we would like to extend our sympathies to the victim's family and remind everyone to recognize the importance of railroad crossing gates and warning signs.