A preliminary report by the National Transportation and Safety Board shows that the conductor of an Eastbound BNSF train headed to Chicago sped past a red stop signal moments before it collided head-on with a Westbound BNSF locomotive traveling westward to Los Angeles June 28 in the Texas Panhandle.

Officials say the eastbound train was supposed to stop to allow the other train to pass before continuing on. Instead, a review of the locomotive event recorder data revealed that the eastbound train was traveling about 62 miles per hour when it passed a yellow approach signal, which requires a train to slow down to maximum of 40 miles per hour and be prepared to stop at the next signal. Shortly after, it passed the red stop signal traveling at 65 miles per hour.

The resulting collision killed three crew members, including the engineer and conductor of the eastbound train and the conductor of the westbound train. Another engineer managed to jump from the westbound train before the impact and survived with injuries. BNSF officials estimate property damages at $16 million.

Safety officials say that the collision may well have been avoided had the area been equipped with a positive train control (PTC) system, technology designed to avoid accidents by automatically slowing or stopping a train when the system senses a potentially dangerous situation. A PTC is scheduled to be implemented by the BNSF in this area by the end of 2016.

We here at Rail Justice support the implementation technology proven to improve rail safety. If you have been injured or suffered a loss in accident involving a train, call 888-519-RAIL to speak with a railroad injury law attorney today.