Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Family of 3 killed in truck, train collision in Harwood, Texas after the father attempted to drive around the arms in an attempt to beat the train



Posted: Tuesday, July 7, 2015 6:00 am
 
HARWOOD, TEXAS

A collision involving a truck and a train on FM 794 Saturday night claimed the lives of three members of a Harwood family when the driver of the truck tried to go around the crossing arms and was struck by the approaching train, officials say.
At 10:16 p.m. July 4, a 2004 Dodge 1500 pickup driven by Javier Castillo, 46, of Harwood, was northbound on FM 794 toward the intersection with the railroad tracks when the crossing arms deployed in front of it, Texas Highway Patrol spokesman Deon Cockrell said.
Castillo attempted to drive around the arms, however, in an attempt to beat the train, but the train struck the passenger side of the Dodge, carrying the truck for approximately 4/10 mile before coming to a stop. Castillo, his wife Lilia and their 13-year-old daughter Christy were killed instantly.

Cockrell said the train remained on the tracks throughout the duration of the incident, and that no one aboard the train was injured.