A 28-year-old man died Tuesday after the pickup he was driving was struck by a freight train on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks in Le Grand, the California Highway Patrol reported.
Juan Jose Hernandez was approaching the tracks in a Chevrolet Silverado at a private crossing just before 10 a.m. when the collision occurred. He turned from South Santa Fe Avenue onto the private crossing when his truck was hit.
The train struck the right-front corner of the truck and spun the vehicle around several times before it came to rest along the tracks, CHP officer Chris Rodenburg said.
There were no witnesses other than the train operators.
Hernandez, who was on his way to work at the time, was the only person in the vehicle at the time of the accident, Rodenburg said.
Riggs Ambulance Service responded to the scene along South Santa Fe. Hernandez eventually was flown to a medical facility, but later died from his injuries, which included head wounds and arm fractures.
Hernandez wasn't wearing a seat belt.
CHP officers, Cal Fire personnel and BNSF employees were at the scene investigating the crash and directing traffic. Parts of the vehicle Hernandez was driving were strewn dozens of yards from the point of impact.
Authorities say they don't suspect Hernandez was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Officials are awaiting autopsy results, and the investigation is ongoing.
Reporter Mike North can be reached at (209) 385-2453 or mnorth@mercedsunstar.com.
E-Mail
Print
