SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Jan. 4, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — One person died and 18 others, including a conductor, were injured Monday in a head-on collision between a car and a TRAX train.
According to Utah Transit Authority spokes woman Remi Barron, the incident happened just after 11 a.m. at 600 W. North Temple.
“From what we know, and for some unknown reason, the car was sitting directly on the TRAX line,” Barron said. “I have been told the driver of the vehicle did not survive.”
The collision forced the TRAX train to derail and come to a stop with the front of the train hanging over a barrier.
According to Salt Lake City Fire Police Sgt. Robin Heiden, nine people were treated at the scene and released and seven were transported to area hospitals with minor injuries.
Heiden said it is now believed the driver of the vehicle, now identified as 51-year-old Jose Delrio Cabral of Ogden, was also involved in a hit-and-run just four blocks east of this accident.
“As the investigation starts to unfold, we have indications that the vehicle was also involved in another accident at 200 W. North Temple just prior to being hit by the TRAX train,” Heiden said. “We are still uncertain if he was running from the scene of this earlier accident or just why he went through the crossing arms and into the path of the TRAX.”
Barron said they are asking for the public to avoid the area and find alternate routes at this time. UTA has also indicated the Bus Bridge for the Green Line will be in place for the rest of the night.
