Sandra R. Spagnoli Chief of Police
901 East 14th Street, San Leandro CA 94577
PRESS RELEASE
DATE / TIME OF RELEASE: 04/11/12 0715hrs Incident: Auto vs. Train Fatality
PRESS RELEASE OFFICER: Sergeant Mike Sobek
TELEPHONE: (510) 577-3226
DATE / TIME OCCURRED: 04/11/12 2210hrs
LOCATION: Union Pacific RR tracks at Williams St
INVESTIGATING DETECTIVE(S): SLPD Traffic Division
DETAILS:
About 2210hrs, San Leandro Police Officers responded to an auto vs. train collision that occurred on the Union Pacific Railroad Line just south from Williams St. When officers arrived they found the Union Pacific freight train stopped and determined a vehicle was hit. The San Leandro Police Traffic Division was called out to investigate the accident.
Based on the investigation the following occurred: About 2210 hours, the 78 year old victim and her 56 year old daughter were driving east on Williams St. The daughter was the driver and the victim was in the front passenger seat. The driver, thinking the train tracks was a street, turned south on to the tracks from Williams St. The victim vehicle, a 2011 Toyota Prius, became high sided and stuck on the tracks. As they heard the Union Pacific freight train coming towards them, the driver exited the vehicle and attempted, unsuccessfully, to remove her mother from the car. The Union Pacific freight train struck the victim vehicle from behind and pushed it approximately a quarter mile down the tracks before coming to a rest south of Castro St. The victim, a resident of San Leandro was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were sustained. The collision was witnessed by the daughter and two others who were in a car at the Castro St crossing.
The investigation revealed that the collision was accidental.
Union Pacific police, Alameda County Fire Department and the Alameda County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene. A Union Pacific Inspector helped with the investigation.
