Pickup running from the cops runs into what looked like a stopped coal train [:O]
They say in the video that the area was dark but you can clearly see reflectors on the hopper cars and the crossing lights are flashing in another video… wonder if the guy had his lights on or not cant tell because most of it is filmed in NV/IR from the police chopper
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/video/?slug=orl-carvstrainaerials-061108
No headlights on the pick up truck…at least it was over with quickly.
The gates were definitely down and the lights were flashing by all appearances. My guess is that the driver was too busy looking over his shoulder, as it were.
It looks like it was a Chevy Avalanche. It had 5 people in it. All killed.
Just God’s way of weeding out the gene pool.
No Brains…No Headaches!!![D)]
Yep: nominate these fools for the Darwin Awards.
That one won’t end up on any TV reality shows. As I usually say to these things…it’s actually a shame they won’t get a chance to be that stupid again or learn from their mistake.
I hope the coal cars weren’t damaged.
[banghead]ripes, what an impact. It looks like that the driver didn’t even hit the brakes at all.
hah
[banghead]ripes, what an impact. It looks like that the driver didn’t even hit the brakes at all.
hah
No he didn’t. According to local reports police estimate that the vehicle struck the train at about 50 miles per hour and that there were no skid marks at the scene. The vehicle’s lights were off while they were trying to elude police and that particular street is not well lighted either. Coupled with the fact that they were most likely looking behind themselves as they were driving, didn’t notice the flashing red lights and crossing gate which was down.
For those who are interested that was CSX Q456 with coal for the Stanton Energy Center, a power plant SE of Orlando.
In the video you can see the truck almost collides with another car at the intersection right before hitting the train. I think the driver saw the other car and was accelerating to try avoid the other car and then ran right into the train. Just horrible. Some people either think they are invincible or just plain don’t care. Jamie
It looks to me like you can see the truck start to swerve right before impact, whether or not it was obviously too late.
I’m reminded of the Gary Larson cartoon, Ship of Fools/Carload of Idiots
A carload of stupid x5 … Running from the cops, no headlights, blowing thru intersections, complete disregard for other drivers safety or the safety of anyone else, and driving headlong straight into a stopped train at an operational crossing equipped with flashing lights, and as someone noted - train cars equipped with reflective tape, but of course you have to have your lights on for the tape to reflect anything.
So of course the railroad will be sued for neglegance and wrongfull death x5 by some ambulance chasing attorney who will argue that the frieght cars must be equipped with flashing lights and beacons so criminals can safely flee police without risk of colliding with a stopped train at an operating crossing with flashing lights. I dont know whats more stupid, the accident, or the inevitable impending wrongfull death suit?
I read an article on this accident that stated the truck was actually first chased in the morning and then later in the afternoon. Finally the truck was spotted again in the evening and that is the video that you see here. In fact, I first saw the helicopter video footage on Youtube and it was much longer, about 9 minutes in length. After the crash, the police helicopter actually flew to the head end of the train and made a PA announcement to the CSX crew and asked them not to move the train. Here is a followup news video with police interview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Igl_NjOODiM
At least 74 mph with the headligts turned off. I do feel sorry for the five that lost their lives, but can you imagine a truck going 74 mph at night down your street with the lights off? Amazing others did not get hurt. Jamie
How many criminals have to die before society mans up and makes the world a better and safer working environment for the criminals. They were only doing their job. Just maybe if those hoppers weren’t so closely coupled and the couplers were high enough (like the driver) to clear the vehicle roof, this tragedy would have been avoided. Does OSHA have to get involved.
“A carload of stupid x5”, well put vsmith!
I can’t feell too sorry for the criminals. You can’t honestly say that sometime in their life they didn’t get warned about doing things the wrong way. If you sleep with a dog you may awake with a flea or five.