Union Pacific Adjusting Railroad Crossing Where Vets Died

Union Pacific says it's adjusting the timing of the West Texas railroad crossing signal where a collision last month killed four military veterans riding in a parade.

Company spokeswoman Raquel Espinoza-Williams said Friday that the railroad will "improve buffer time" at the signal in Midland "over and above" federal regulations.

The four veterans were on a float struck by a train going 62 mph.

The National Transportation Safety Board has said the signal activated 20 seconds before the train's arrival, the minimum standard under federal regulations, and that the driver ventured onto the track prematurely.

Espinoza-Williams says the company tested the signal and decided to make the unspecified time adjustment to "further ensure" it's in compliance.

Texas Department of Transportation records indicate the crossing was designed for a 30-second warning.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us