Hotline #77-A - March 16, 1999

The southbound City of New Orleans last night struck a truck with steel bars on it that was on a grade crossing three miles north of Kankakee, Ill. Many details are still sketchy, but part of the train derailed and there was a fire in both locomotives and a sleeping car. Twelve bodies [note -- actual final toll 11] have been recovered from the wreckage, all from the sleeping car, with wire stories still saying rescue officials believe there are six more left to be found. These are the first Amtrak passenger fatalities since the Sunset Limited wreck in Alabama in 1993, which was caused by a wayward barge.

While trucks cause on the average about two serious Amtrak derailments a year, this is the first time a truck has cause an Amtrak passenger fatality. Just last June, a truck carrying heavy steel coils caused a grade-crossing accident near Gary, Ind., that killed two passengers and one crew member on a South Shore commuter train.

Last May, NARP wrote in favor of proposed Federal Highway Administration rules that would strengthen penalties for crossing violations committed by commercial drivers. Unfortunately, those regulations are still pending. NARP also believes it would be useful for local law enforcement officials everywhere to enforce existing laws more forcefully, as a deterrent to crossing violations.