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CLINTON -- The Utah Transit Authority is warning drivers they can't win a race against trains after a collision between a FrontRunner train and a pickup truck killed a man when he tried to go around the crossing arms.
Trains may look like they're moving slowly, but UTA says that's an optical illusion.
It's really important to understand these trains don't have a lot of options. There's only one direction it can go, forward, and if there is an obstruction on the rail the train will always win.
–UTA spokesman Gerry Carpenter
"People think they have more time than they do, so they attempt to cross thinking they've got time to make it," said UTA spokesperson Gerry Carpenter. "They are very large, they are going very fast and they will be on top of you before you can react."
If you try to beat the train, the results can be fatal.
Charlie DuBose, a 52-year-old man from Sunset, made that deadly mistake Monday night when he tried to go around the downed arms at a FrontRunner crossing in Clinton.
The train, traveling near top speeds of 80 miles an hour, collided with the man's truck, killing him instantly.
"As he went around those arms, the train was coming southbound, it hit the gentlemen and pushed him about four blocks south," said Sgt. Harley Watkins with the Utah Highway Patrol.
DuBose's family released a statement, reading in part, "Charlie was a free spirit who was loved by all that knew him. This loss has left a large hole in the lives of those that knew him, one that will not heal any time soon."
UTA says the crossing at 1800 North and 400 West is equipped with current safety measures in accordance with national standards.
"There's concrete medians to prevent people from driving around the arms and we have full signals, crossing arms," Carpenter said.
Still, he said, "Someone who is determined to try and get around them can do so, and clearly in this case that was a tragic mistake."
Since FrontRunner commuter rail service began, there have been five accidents involving cars. Monday night's collision is the only fatal one. There have been three pedestrian accidents, two of which were fatal.
"It's really important to understand these trains don't have a lot of options," Carpenter said. "There's only one direction it can go, is forward, and if there is an obstruction on the rail the train will always win."
The people onboard the train at the time of the accident Monday night were not seriously hurt in the crash, though one woman was taken to the hospital with minor bumps and bruises.
UTA and law enforcement are investigating the crash.
E-Mail: aforester@ksl.com
