MILAN, N.M. – A woman was struck by a train in the Village of Milan, New Mexico. The incident occurred on August 2 in between Route 66 and Elkins Road in the village. The woman did not survive the accident. Milan Police Department reminds residents that train tracks, and their subsequent right-of-ways are private property, it is both illegal and dangerous to be on the tracks.
The train was travelling eastbound, from Los Angeles, California, to Chicago, Illinois when it began passing through the Village of Milan. A woman, who will not be named, was attempting to cross the railroad tracks after leaving the Dollar General store on Route 66.
Because of the devastation from the crash, it took the police longer than normal to identify the woman. They determined that the female victim was attempting to cross the road and make her way to Berryhill in Milan where a friend lived.
Milan Police Department believes that she tried to beat the train, but it’s possible that she didn’t realize it was coming. MPD Sergeant Joe Galindo said, “[People who walk the tracks] may not hear the train approaching, or they think it might be further away. When you’re on those tracks, by the time you realize something is coming, it comes quick. I’ve worked plenty of incidents where we’re on the train tracks and ‘Oh, there is a train coming,’ they come a lot faster than they look.”
Village police remind residents that train tracks are private property. It is both illegal, and dangerous to walk the railroad tracks. “I don’t know if the people actually know this,” Sgt. Galindo said, “The right-of-way roads, the access roads on the side of the train tracks – and the train tracks themselves – are considered private property. So, it is trespassing to even be there. No one is supposed to be on that road.”
The US Standard for railroad tracks is four feet and eight-and-a-half inches. This is the standard for the width between two rails. According to Amtrack’s National Fact Sheet, trains regularly reach speeds of 125 to 140 miles per hour.
Milan Police Department is asking residents to stay away from train tracks because they are dangerous and can potentially be fatal.