OREM, Utah, Jan. 2, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — A vehicle struck a TRAX train in downtown Salt Lake City Wednesday morning, the second incident involving a Utah Transit Authority train in the space of two hours.
UTA spokesman Carl Arky told Gephardt Daily the vehicle struck the side of the TRAX Red Line train heading north at the intersection of 800 S. 200 West at approximately 10 a.m.
The train had apparently entered the intersection and preliminary reports indicate the driver ran a red light and struck the train, Arky said.
The driver of the vehicle reportedly complained of injuries, but the severity of those injuries is not known at this time and it’s not clear if the driver was transported to the hospital.
Two people on the train also sustained minor injuries. Both passengers declined medical assistance.
All safety signals and warning apparatus appear to have been operational, Arky said.
The first TRAX incident on Wednesday was fatal. It occurred at approximately 8:20 a.m. when a man appeared to have accidentally stepped in front of a northbound FrontRunner train from Provo as it pulled into the Orem Station at 1350 W. 900 South. The man was crossing in the designated area at the south end of the station.
Arky said it’s not clear what the man was distracted by.
The man’s identity was being withheld pending notification of family members.
UTA released the following statement on the two incidents: “UTA expresses its condolences to the family and friends of the gentleman who lost his life in Orem this morning. With a New Year beginning UTA wants to remind everyone, motorists and pedestrians, to exercise extreme caution whenever they are near railroad tracks. A train could be approaching at any time.”
Gephardt Daily will have more on this developing story as information becomes available.
