This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Murray • A man is in critical condition after driving around guard arms at a TRAX crossing and being hit by a train Monday morning.
The accident occurred at 6100 S. 300 West at about 9 a.m. The guard arms were down for longer than normal, and vehicles along 6100 South began driving around them, according to Detective Kenny Bass of the Murray Police Department. As a tow truck crossed, it was struck by a southbound Red Line train. The driver is in critical condition. No other injuries were reported.
The train was derailed by the collision, which caused delays in service until mid-afternoon.
But by 3 p.m., the Utah Transit Authority reported the delays were "clearing up" and that trains were only about 10 minutes behind schedule.
UTA spokesman Gerry Carpenter said the arms were down for six minutes. A northbound train at Fashion Place Mall was having a problem that was preventing its departure and keeping the arms down, Carpenter said.
Lujane Willes was stopped at the intersection when the accident occurred. She said the arms had been down between three and five minutes when a westbound car crossed around the guard arms. About a minute later, the tow truck attempted to cross and was struck.
The collision brought down a railroad crossing sign, and it nearly hit her car, she said.
"It's too bad we're all in such a hurry," she said.
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