On March 14, 2023, at 0900, responding officers met Jamie Torres from the National Transportation Safety Board regarding his investigation into our recent car/train collision on March 10, 2023. Mr. Torres requested to re-interview the train crew and asked for an officer to accompany him for potential new information.
Officers and Mr. Torres interviewed Mr. John Smith, the train conductor, at his residence at 0930. Mr. Smith, employed by Union Pacific since 1985, reiterated his previous statement given on the night of the accident. He detailed their route from Dallas to Houston, highlighting their stop in Corsicana and subsequent return trip, during which the accident occurred at the Pine Street crossing. Mr. Smith noted they were traveling at approximately 45 mph at the time of the collision, and the train took about 250 feet to stop after impact.
At 1130, officers re-interviewed Mr. Eric Jones, the engineer who has been with Union Pacific since 1990. Mr. Jones confirmed his initial statement, mentioning he sounded the horn at the crossing 1000 feet before Pine Street. He also used the brakes to slow down due to a fallen tree on the tracks, then resumed speed before the collision, reaching around 48 mph. Mr. Jones conducted a post-accident brake test, confirming they were functional. He also stated he had been on duty for 6 hours and 45 minutes at the time of the accident.
Mr. Torres indicated he would next interview Ms. Laura Brown, another crew member who had been relocated to Austin. If new information emerged, he would notify the officers. Both Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones mentioned they saw no other vehicles at the Pine Street crossing immediately before or after the accident.
Remember that on the real New York Court Officer Exam, you will need to wait 10 minutes before the questions are revealed!
How far did the train travel after the collision before stopping?