CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Train SMASHES Car Stuck on Tracks! | Ashland, Virginia

[@chadlampson]

That looked 100% planned with how calm the person walked off

[@ronaldbell735]

he could have keep driving

[@kendufresne]

He could've had a cellphone in his hand with someone on video saying, this was your car etc...

[@zackschindler8334]

@Chris Barnes And the persons fingerprints are all over the car. They are going to jail.

[@thomasboese3793]

@Chris Barnes A dollar gets you donuts, a relationship has gone bad... and they walked away happy...

[@LunaMizuki8806]

@@ronaldbell735 That's exactly what I was thinking. The guy literally coulda just kept driving.

[@jaretrichards5343]

As someone from the area I will tell you that the opposite stop bar does not block the track. There was no reason to stop once he went passed the first stop bar. His path was clear.

[@abhoc]

took the words right off my keyboard

[@harrymallory7963]

@@abhoc mi e oo!

[@ThomasKent1346]

HER path. That looked like a woman.

[@Michel-Gagnon]

Even if it has blocked all the way, like many barriers in Europe, I never understood why people suddenly have the upmost respect for barriers once they are in between. I would jump on the gas and slam through the barrier rather than getting stuck in between.

[@crewleaderprods]

@@ThomasKent1346 did you just assume their gender?

[@StuartAxe]

The crew would have had no idea if someone else was left in the vehicle. Absolutely shocking. That individual deserves jail time.

[@cinqpower]

There has been a car put on the tracks like this in The Netherlands. Husband stepped out, his wife was drugged and got hit by train. They never could get the evidence pointing his way, walked as a free man.

[@DTD110865]

@@cinqpower That sucks balls.

[@tippy651]

This is what the article says. Henriquez faces charges of misdemeanor hit and run, operating a vehicle without a driver’s license, and operating a vehicle without insurance.

[@DTD110865]

@@tippy651 So the insurance fraud is also confirmed?

[@tippy651]

@DTD110865 I don't think so. Sounds like BS to me but it also said this. “Subsequent to an investigation, it was determined that there was no intentional effort on the part of the driver to damage or interfere with train operations or critical infrastructure,” the Ashland Police Department said in a news release.

[@NorthCountryTrains]

Pro tip: if you’re gonna commit insurance fraud in this manner, don’t do it in front of a popular railcam 😂 Edit: Per a police report in the replies the vehicle was not insured. Scroll down to read the report. Edit 2: It’s no longer there. Edit 3: The report below is still deleted

[@thomasboese3793]

A dollar gets you donuts, the driver isn't a railfan...

[@cameronreason]

Ditto

[@20PINKluvr]

Would the camera zoom in on his face though?

[@Allison-ti5vv]

No. Let's not

[@bradleymcwilliams6348]

@@20PINKluvr I would rather the cam zoom in on his face when he learns it's all been filmed...

[@bobmp3832]

If he didn’t like his car he should’ve traded it in. That looked intentional.

[@realcanadian67]

Maybe it was an attempt at industrial sabotage..

[@peanut9125]

Yes it did, and there was smoke coming out of the car you can see it just before the train hits the car

[@chuckman231]

I was thinking the same thing. That looks very intentional!

[@realcanadian67]

@@chuckman231 maybe for insurance money. One things for sure, the VR cameras are going to be saying something about that!

[@davidbutton3500]

100% intentional.

[@canadagood]

Great illustration of just how long it takes to stop a moving train.

[@vesper0721]

54 seconds to stop give or take

[@pyromanci2736]

and by the look of it and empty train to boot. All those open side, open top containers were all empty just picture how much longer a fully loaded train would take.

[@vesper0721]

@@pyromanci2736 I would add two more minutes and the car getting those at least a hundred feet or more

[@tankiadam4967]

@@pyromanci2736 I thought it stoped rather quickly for a train.

[@dancoulson6579]

Assuming the emergency brakes were applied at 2:10, when the horn was first sounded, then it would be 63 seconds to come to a complete stop (at 3:13 it stopped). Of course, there are many variables... Mass and speed of the train, condition of the track, weather conditions, gradient of the track, etc.

[@buckeyfan7623]

Wow this was totally done on purpose! I can’t believe how that crossing gate got taken out! That lady walked away from the car nonchalantly like she does that every day.

[@jasonargonaught8744]

I really don't think you can tell how the person was reacting from this video or how they were feeling. behavior is a tricky thing to read when trying to discern a persons motives. you'll find that out as you get older.

[@buckeyfan7623]

@@jasonargonaught8744 wow.. well I can only hope to some day be as brilliant as you.. thank you so much for enlightening me..

[@SpartacusColo]

3:15 am and she clearly could have advanced just a bit further to get off that track, and she immediately got out and got clear. Good bet that car was the BF's... the one she just 'broke up with'?

[@clasher3355]

that crossing gate was cosplaying the poles from GTA V

[@jonnawyatt]

Man

[@jljohnson8668]

The insurance inveatigatior and the police will be mighty interested in the footage

[@KieraCameron514]

I'm sure the railroad will be too.

[@TheLewistownTrainspotter8102]

It's pretty much an open and shut case.

[@Dulcimerist]

The vehicle wasn't even insured, according to reports that were issued today.

[@michaelpalmieri7335]

*investigator

[@grondhero]

@@michaelpalmieri7335 *in vest a gator 🔎 🐊

[@thomasboese3793]

It's a shame the cameras' angle couldn't get the car's approach before the signal lights started and the gates started to drop. I wonder how long they waited for the train to come. The slow drive around the gate, stopping on the tracks, and then the car rolls backward a bit. The real kicker for me is the absolute calm of the driver watching the crash... Perhaps a relationship went bad and this was a touch of classic revenge. Looks as intentional as a four-year-old putting a toy car in front of a wooden train and hitting it for fun.

[@scottestep9095]

I was thinking the exact same thing! Then he does a fake wave as if was trying to get the train to stop. All for looks!

[@jthitchens2672]

There's almost certainly other cameras on the street that will show this

[@hansenfiet2539]

My level of thinking too. No telling how long she sat there waiting on those gates to go down!

[@chatanugadotorg]

Said the same thing in my comment a few minutes ago. Would need a view to the east to see how she approached the crossing to see if she was waiting for the signals to come on or already heading towards the crossing when the signals activated. Definitely looked like it was deliberately stopped and not stalled or something.

[@LostDepot]

I'm sure there are other businesses that have cameras and will show how long they waited. Seems like they should have went out of town a couple of crossing away to commit fruad.

[@Ikwigsjoyful]

Reminds me of the time I was on an Amtrak train that hit a car that had "run out of gas" on the tracks. The driver got safely away, and no one on the train was hurt, but the engine was damaged. So we had to wait five hours for our new engine to get us back on our way. I believe it was later proven that the man had done it intentionally to commit insurance fraud; I just hope they made him pay Amtrak for the damage he had caused too.

[@renegadetenor]

Was that the SWC near Lamar, CO. about 5 years ago?

[@Menoetia]

Oh, if it was fraud they more than likely had to pay Amtrak for the damage, at least in part.

[@Ikwigsjoyful]

@@renegadetenor No, Northern Ohio, probably 7 or 8 years ago now.

[@Ikwigsjoyful]

@@Menoetia That's good to know.

[@NyuuMikuru1]

That has to be at least 10 brand new cars the driver has to pay for.

[@joncrawford3485]

Feel for the loco driver there - no chance to stop and probably no idea whether someone else was still in the car.

[@Stussmeister]

Indeed. Trains have very little in the way of evasive maneuvers, and, as seen here, the amount of weight being pulled means that it takes a while for them to come to a complete stop, even with the emergency brakes on. All engineers can really do when they see a vehicle "fouling the line" is pray that no one is inside.

[@662363]

I've heard multiple conductors tell me, they are told to apply the brakes and turn around. The first time I heard a guy say it, I could tell he didn't look away the first time. Passengers were still in the car.

[@JoshyCC]

@@662363 oh my gosh, I can't even imagine the nightmares after witnessing something like that... Pedestrians or occupants or even animals 😥

[@debraellison6255]

My family were all train engineers. I can't begin to say how horrible they would feel thinking they hurt someone. This was cruel.

[@kingjames4886]

for all they knew the car was transporting sick puppies!!

[@Josephcavagnaro]

I counted 24 Train cars before the train came to a complete stop. This is why you don't mess around with trains

[@royfearn4345]

Pretty impressive really!

[@SoundFX09]

Make sure this footage is Handed to Ashland Police Department AND the Virginia State Police. If this was intentional, these cameras WILL be Decisive Evidence.

[@thomasboese3793]

If it was intentional, a copy to the FBI as well.

[@EvanBallinger13]

@@thomasboese3793 Yeah! The train makes it federal, doesn't it?

[@thomasboese3793]

@@EvanBallinger13 BINGO! Like walking into a bank and demanding other people's money.

[@SouthKCRailfan]

It should also go to CSX Police.

[@sgtdebones]

@@EvanBallinger13 Just like if it was an airline. Same boat

[@DougGrinbergs]

WRIC ABC 8: Lizzeth Calderon Henriquez was charged on Thursday, Jan. 19 in connection to the incident, which occurred around 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 15... Henriquez was charged with misdemeanor hit and run, operating a vehicle without a driver’s license, and operating a vehicle without insurance

[@macmedic892]

All together now: “insurance fraud”.

[@aaronmccollum4626]

That was my first thought.

[@Lehighrailfanproduction]

@@aaronmccollum4626 me too

[@txbrc14]

Wow… call the cops!!

[@NScaleTrainsWithChris]

I winder if that car will be reported 'stolen' shortly after that. The driver probably doesn't know there were two cameras capturing the whole thing.

[@peterlangdon7011]

Agree. He or she could have driven around the far gate. Plenty of time.

[@Da__goat]

This is peak smoothbrain operating at 100% max performance

[@mase7557]

I learned this a very long time ago…If you beat the train to the crossing, you win. If the train beats you to the crossing, the train wins. ALL TIES GO TO THE TRAIN!

[@RollTideUK]

That looked 100% deliberate to me

[@ThisHandleIsNotTaken.]

Surveillance footage captures a driver in Ashland exiting their vehicle moments before it's struck by a passing train on Jan. 15. The driver, Lizzeth Calderon Henriquez, was identified and charged by Ashland police days later. So she left it there intentionally

[@cheriset3436]

I believe in VA law it may be illegal to cross the train tracks once the warning lights are flashing. She may be charged regarding something in that sense, obstruction of the railway, etc. I think it would be difficult to prove intentionality.

[@pakey423]

I just came across this article where it is mentioned that the police rules out that it was intentional. But this makes me wonder what her reason was to "park" her car there. 🤔 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ASHLAND, Va. (WWBT) - The Ashland Police Department says the driver of a vehicle that was hit by a train on Sunday faces several charges. The incident happened just before 3:30 a.m. Jan. 15 near England Street and Railroad Avenue. “The vehicle involved was traveling westbound when it proceeded through the railroad crossing as the crossing arms were coming down,” the Ashland Police Department said. The driver, who police identified on Friday as Lizzeth Calderon Henriquez, exited the vehicle before a southbound train hit the vehicle. Police say Henriquez then ran away westbound on Thompson Street. Henriquez faces charges of misdemeanor hit and run, operating a vehicle without a driver’s license, and operating a vehicle without insurance. “Subsequent to an investigation, it was determined that there was no intentional effort on the part of the driver to damage or interfere with train operations or critical infrastructure,” the Ashland Police Department said in a news release.

[@cheriset3436]

My thought was she expected the train to be on the other track since it was coming from that direction. In the first video, it’s easy to see that she clearly parked shy of that one, maybe trying to avoid such a collision.

[@xisotopex]

she most likely needed a translator as well...

[@maestromecanico597]

I am a retired railroader who used to compile post-accident reports and locomotive downloads. I’ve seen many trespassers finished and all manner of human behavior in those seconds prior to impact. This is “bizarre” to say the least. I’ll leave it to the authorities.

[@abandonedcranium6592]

I zoomed in and could not see any movement of the vehicle after it stopped on the tracks, didn't even attempt to drive forward. Yes, quite "bizarre" 😁

[@rjyokum]

Only thing I see was the flashers were on in the car. Possible car problem???

[@327Erich]

@@rjyokum Yet the person didn't even ATTEMPT to drive forward, simply stopped, put it in park, and hopped out.....and if the car was prone to issues, why drive under the gates in the first place?

[@railfanaiden9094]

I'm thinking it may have been an insurance fraud, however they don't know about the cameras lol

[@bokesnmokes]

What does "compile post-accident reports and locomotive downloads" even mean?

[@yogidemis8513]

I lived next to the biggest train yard in the PNW for about 3 years, many cars tried to cross the road and beat the train so they didn't have too wait. Many people got killed and few survived. There were a small handful of suicides as well. The city finally built a overpass quite a few years back. Sometimes being at home I could hear the loud crash from the train plowing into the car. It's a sound you don't want to hear. Plus I know of one insurance fraud that someone tried to pull but failed and they got a massive fine and jail time. I wouldn't be surprised if this video the person why pulling insurance fraud.

[@MrCrazycook8]

North cam shows car was deliberately and intentionally parked on the tracks.

[@thomasboese3793]

Both cameras show a swerve around the dropping gate and after stopping the car rolls backward just a bit for the perfect position.

[@boli4203]

And the hazard lights were turned on...

[@samanthayellen937]

Absolutely deliberately that could have been catastrophic talk about terror attack and homeland security

[@monikajohnson8236]

Nah something ain’t right. Car had plenty time to back up. Little damage from the bar thing is better than squashed car by train. Someone wanted new car. I say intentionally done. Hope cops get these camera tapes.

[@TylerDonitzen777GlorytoGod]

Which means what... it was intentionally done this was purposefull. ​@monikajohnson8236

[@norfener]

For me, it's the train driver I worry about. He would hit that car not knowing who was inside, very traumatic

[@IvanTimber]

Rest in peace to the Rare No left turn Signal :(

[@trish3754]

i was awake early and watched this live definitely looked like insurance job driver just sauntered away love the view from the other way

[@trish3754]

@@trezjr73 not really the view was blocked by the fire truck

[@Dulcimerist]

@@trezjr73 No. She was charged with hit & run today. Also didn't have insurance or a license.

[@rainydaywa]

Could be wrong, but it appeared that this car went through the same intersection a few minutes prior. Wondering if anyone else noticed that...

[@JohnFromArlingtron]

She looks so happy walking away just before it hits. Must have been a really bad break-up.

[@3sierra15]

Her ex was meant to see it. He must be a railfan.

[@Andrew-13579]

@@3sierra15 So perhaps, the very cameras that captured this turned out to be the cause of it. 😉. Maybe he spent more time watching live railroad cameras on YT than he spent watching her. So, she crashed his car while he watched live. 😀. Doesn’t she stop in the middle of running away? Was that to pause, turn to one of the cameras and flip him the finger? …well, stranger things have happened.

[@ladysilverwynde]

​@@3sierra15Or the car belonged to the ex...

[@ladysilverwynde]

​@@3sierra15Or it was the ex's car. 😬

[@sportingdirector1]

When those gates go down, you stop unless you're already on the tracks.

[@gnarled128]

That was 100% intentional. Watch the car and you’ll see the driver exit the car nonchalantly. North cam reveals the gates do not block exit from the crossing if you happen to beat it going down. Either insurance fraud or a bad breakup is my guess.

[@TylerDonitzen777GlorytoGod]

Well you shouldn't be on the tracks

[@breezerdave27]

Agreed! Why did they not just continue on...looks suspicious to me?

[@j.padron8531]

Because by FRA we have to stop whenever we hit a person, car/truck etc. If the train didn’t stop, that crew would be fired.

[@michaelsmith7425]

@@j.padron8531 I think he meant the driver as the exit was not blocked.

[@vernette39]

What a mess for the train engineer and the gate that was broken.

[@thomasboese3793]

Lots of unneeded paperwork and the crew would be relieved and debriefed.

[@vtace1]

Trains go slow in Ashland, but even then it took a full 60 seconds from time of car completely stopping in intersection, a second for the engineer to recognize, and then the train completely coming to a complete stop.

[@KyuuAA]

Quoting an article: "The Ashland Police Department says the driver of a vehicle that was hit by a train on Sunday faces several charges."

[@TheRailfanofTexas]

Welcome to Ashland VA. The place where everything happens.

[@darlenemassey6161]

Great comment!

[@MatthewChenault]

Welcome to Central Virginia where anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.

[@bigmaxcc]

@@MatthewChenault 😂 good one

[@TexasRailfan21-RailfanRyan]

I feel sad now, and the fact that the signal with old incandescent lights has been destroyed. I have a feeling CSX is going to upgrade this crossing with newer signals with LED lights.

[@thomasboese3793]

RIP old tech.

[@ROTC730]

A train crash happened in Kings Mountain, NC, and instead of replacing the whole crossing, they only installed a new one, and left the other old one be

[@marioxerxescastelancastro8019]

You are the type of person that stays awake at night thinking of the plight of humanity. 🤡

[@williamanderson8932]

Sunderland AFC

[@williamanderson8932]

🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

[@jamisonnichols2950]

That looked like it was on purpose maybe an insurance scam

[@ddebenedictis]

For sure! Warranty just expired.

[@seriouscat2231]

There was no insurance.

[@countryroadrailproductions2008]

Out of every train crash these cameras in Ashland caught this is the worst one I've ever seen

[@fisherbridgeproductions]

Looks like Ashland would be a good place to start a towing company I think you would profit pretty good there lol

[@bengone3349]

It will be very interesting to learn the follow up on this. The TV station that covers this area might find it interesting.The following stations cover Ashland. WUPV, WTKR, WTVR, WRIC, and, WAVY.

[@MatthewChenault]

It most likely won’t be on the news until this evening or tomorrow morning. This is very fresh.

[@tybois74]

Ashland is north of Richmond, so it would only be WTVR, WRIC, and WWBT. WTKR and WAVY are Norfolk.

[@robertvirginiabeach]

@@tybois74 Actually WAVY has its studio in Portsmouth with their transmitter located in eastern Suffolk. Ashland is still pretty far out of their viewing area. WVEC and WTKR have studios in Norfolk with transmitters next to each other near the Chesapeake/Suffolk border.. There may be some overlap in viewing areas between the NW end of Newport News and Richmond (like Williamsburg)

[@tybois74]

@@robertvirginiabeach I know, I just said "Norfolk" as a generalization. I believe the cable/satellite market cut off is James City County. WAVY, I believe, has always had studios in Portsmouth, eventually moving to Wavy Street. WAVY used to be a radio station too, starting on 1490 (later moved to 1350) out of Portsmouth in 1953. WAVY-TV signed on in 1957. WTKR has, to my knowledge, always had their studios on Boush Street in Downtown Norfolk. WVEC was previously located in Hampton, but division of WVEC-AM (1490) and WVEC-FM (101.3), they moved to Woodis Avenue in Norfolk. For the longest time, WTVZ was located at 900 Granby Street. I'm not sure where they are now. I was born at the OLD Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in 1981, lived in Norfolk for my first 11 years. :)

[@garrettswoodworx1873]

It will certainly be interesting to hear the results of the investigation.

[@U_ever]

This clip should be required viewing for everyone with a drivers license in La Grange, KY.

[@Dulcimerist]

Ironically, this driver didn't even have a license, according to reports issued today.

[@lelandrogers1078]

Great example of how long it takes to stop a train.

[@joelbiallas2520]

i was saying the same thing,, weather the engineer waited till impact or not it took awhile

[@KaiHenningsen]

@@allenmurray7893 Depending on how good the brakes are, mostly. Generally, passenger cars have better brakes, but there are more factors than that. Also, the longer a freight train is, the longer it can take for the brake activation to reach the last car.

[@garrettswoodworx1873]

@@KaiHenningsen It has more to do with the actual weight of the train and its speed. Longer is of course generally heavier but that incredible mass is the real issue in stopping.

[@SteveHarrellRally]

Yep. 23 rail cars plus the locomotive passed before it stopped. Assuming the engineer pulled the emergency brake at the moment of impact and not sooner it still took about 1,450 feet to stop the train.

[@KaiHenningsen]

@@garrettswoodworx1873 ... relative to the brakes. Loaded freight cars of course take longer, and so do cars full of passengers, but often passenger cars actually have better brakes (even apart from passengers being lighter) - especially, they often also have electrically triggered brakes, whereas freight cars usually only have air pressure triggered brakes. Maybe that will change when we finally move to the DAC (digital automatic coupler) for freight here in Europe. It's been too long.

[@Grass_77]

I wanna see the follow up to this. Really looks intentional.

[@robertgates5164]

She was charged with driving without a license, driving without insurance, also hit & run. Authorities said that following investigation there was no intentional act on her part to interfere with train operations, etc. It looked intentional to me also, blatantly intentional but the police decided to give her a break I guess.

[@konewone361]

@@robertgates5164 She’s definitely not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

[@Zenxolu]

@@robertgates5164 lemme guess, she was in her teens too?

[@LaggerSVK]

As the car wasnt insured it looks more like a total stupidity than intentional. The car even didnt looked like was braking. Probably it was in gear without motor running - stoping by resistance. Probably some type of failure and she completely messed the situation up. I am just quite surprised how many people here made theories based on air.

[@uberlpn]

My first thought was for the train crew that may have thought they just killed or seriously injured someone, I hope Mr in a HURRY is happy he just dodged that proverbial bullet!!! OOOOOOrrrrrrrrr it was set-up, either way my heart goes out to that engineer and all railroad crews!!!!!

[@gregluker6875]

The driver was a woman, and she intentionally stopped the car on the tracks so it could be hit. So, her name should be Miss Insurance Fraudster.

[@lesigh1749]

Even without injury, this cost the train company time and money, and the cost of replacing the crossing bar.

[@codymelcher5134]

Thank goodness for these rail cams now days. More places need them even areas that are slow, they help with the crimes.

[@gentshep]

In both clips, you can hear an automobile horn just before this car quickly appears on screen - had they cut someone off or perhaps shown impatience to get to the tracks on time to meet the train. There seems no time to react to a surprise problem with the car, just a quick exit the second the car stops. Love how they point out the car to the poor horrified train crew as they casually walk away.

[@3sierra15]

Wouldn't it be ironic if the driver chose the location so her railfan ex husband would be sure to see the "accident."

[@stargazer7644]

At 3:30 in the morning?

[@PennCentral-jn2ow]

100% intentional,, no doubt. All this in spite from another railfan saying, "caught cheating, stole bf's car for revenge, knew it was coming and simply park it in harms way, square on the tracks, walk away just enough to witness it happening saying, "mission accomplished", totalled. Perfect evidence for conviction.

[@zackschindler8334]

I was thinking that she was destroying a car for revenge too.

[@MatthewChenault]

It’s also fairly easy to tell the driver was a woman. The boots and feminine walk all scream “girl” as well.

[@PennCentral-jn2ow]

@@MatthewChenault I zoomed in both angles and yes it was a woman. The long hair and the pop of the derriere while walking

[@RestrictedAirspacePodcast]

That was some 007 shenanigans.

[@kimberlycook6558]

I reiterate what everyone else is saying...this looks well planned. I feel for the train driver. He must have been so traumatized by the whole event.

[@mikemancini313]

It was a she. She got charged with a misdemeanor and she also didn't have a license to drive the car.

[@jrshalf]

That looked deliberate to me. I'd like the town to find out more.

[@keeshahdarkfurr8328]

Looks like they deliberately parked the car in front of the train to be destroyed

[@danw2112]

I think that car was stolen

[@markymarkintheparkyparkstu6191]

@@danw2112 my theory too. he may have knew it was on a feed.

[@thomasboese3793]

@@markymarkintheparkyparkstu6191 If the driver knew it was being videoed, they aren't thinking very clearly. If intentional, it's a one-way ticket to jail.

[@danw2112]

@@markymarkintheparkyparkstu6191 It looked like a woman who got out of the car. It could be a boyfriend's or ex boyfriend's car.

[@kap64]

@@danw2112 I doubt it was stolen, she remained at the scene, standing over by the street light. You can see her in between when the rail cars went by.

[@slakingfool]

I'm less inclined to think this was insurance fraud, and more of it either an act of aggression against the vehicle's owner or a joy ride with an added thrill tacked on. If there isn't other cameras or witnesses noting this person's movements, this crime may never be solved. Let's hope the driver immediately went to a nearby convenience store for a zesty beverage.

[@bssn9469]

After 3 am I'm sure she already had zesty beverages...

[@THE_IRON_HORSE]

First I clicked this so fast, he knew he could have just went across by then

[@TylerDonitzen777GlorytoGod]

"She" it was a woman this was done intentionally

[@THE_IRON_HORSE]

@TylerDonitzen-k7n not really the point tho he she bla bla

[@RJLupin-zu9xv]

2:05 - Did the driver actually roll back as to be more centered on the track before the train hit? Something is very, very odd about this.

[@michaelmiguelicutti2829]

I think that was her putting it in park. Sometimes the car rolls back slightly when you shift to park then lift your foot off the brake pedal.

[@RJLupin-zu9xv]

@@michaelmiguelicutti2829 Ah, this could be it. I'm used to a manual and didn't even think about it. Even so, I wonder about this lady.

[@TrainTrackTrav]

Ooh, nailed it! 100 points.

[@thomasboese3793]

Another 15 for the spinning action.

[@joebo9378]

I’m surprised how fast that train stopped.

[@Smilecollector120]

I am from this area and the speed limit for trains is 35mph

[@brycelandon6387]

A clear-cut case of insurance fraud if I ever saw one. R.I.P. to the crossing signal destroyed in this crash.

[@pg1376]

The station clock is stunning.

[@ErikaLaGrande]

Considering what’s been happening with all the derailments in the last week, watching this leads me to believe that they have been intentional.

[@lloydlindberry]

Vehicle was driving with hazard lights blinking the entire time. Possible she was having engine problems and had the idiotic bad luck of stalling on the tracks? Should have stopped before the tracks or not slowed down once she entered, but still a possible explanation?

[@kxmode]

My condolences to the railroad crossing sign

[@GerbenWijnja]

That was obviously a conscious decision to pass the barrier at the last moment. And he could have simply driven the car into the barrier to avoid a collision. He left the car on the rails on purpose.

[@toniatchison3678]

I'm a little torn about this. Yes, she did cross after the gates started coming down. I'm wondering if the car died just passed the road crest and that's why it rolled back. Regardless, I also think it's intentional as she never even looked back as the train struck the car, just kept walking. I'll wait for the police report.

[@Dulcimerist]

Authorities in Ashland said they have identified and charged the driver of a vehicle that was hit by a train early Sunday. Lizzeth Calderon Henriquez was charged with misdemeanor hit and run, operating a vehicle without a driver’s license, and operating a vehicle without insurance. Henriquez was last seen on Sunday exiting her vehicle that was stopped on the tracks near England Street and Railroad Avenue, police said. Henriquez was driving westbound when her car went through the railroad crossing as the arms were coming down. Henriquez was able to exit the vehicle before a southbound CSX train struck the vehicle, police said. She then fled on foot westbound on Thompson Street and was later identified by Ashland police, they said. “Subsequent to an investigation, it was determined that there was no intentional effort on the part of the driver to damage or interfere with train operations or critical infrastructure,” the Ashland Police Department said in a statement.

[@TinkerTailor4303]

Okay, so the car "dies" -- but, right on the track?? Also, I don't see any smoke from the car; I think it's from the train, or maybe dust blown up by the train.

[@GeorgeJansen]

VRFC. Steady Doing the work of God. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@AriKona]

Please, oh Please, Let there be jail time and one huge fine. Responsibility has vanished from the face of this earth.

[@leftintheoxafire]

The fact that it was in the middle of the night, and barely can tell the train approaching, makes it even worse. I went to Ashland currently and the gates are down.

[@robadams5799]

Imagine what the engineer thought. "What are you . . .? Wait! Nononono!"

[@theofficerfactory2625]

Good observations. 4-ways are on, vapor is visible a second or 2 before impact. Still could of stopped it before the crossing light.

[@cherokeekid9491]

Definitely looks like it was deliberately done.

[@RailfanChase_YT]

That’s what I thought

[@Northstander]

Insurance job?

[@Clavichordist]

@@Northstander That's what I'm thinking.

[@Dulcimerist]

Perhaps they caught their significant other cheating and decided to take the cheater's car out for a spin.

[@Northstander]

@@Dulcimerist Brilliant...best reason so far!

[@stephenmitchell3]

Why did she stop on the tracks? The crossing arm on the other side wasn't blocking her.

[@DolphinInvasion]

My first thought went to it was planned but maybe it wasn't. If you look at the view from the North Camera, just before impact it kind of looks like smoke/steam starting to rise from the car. It does roll back a little like the engine was stalled

[@purplesquirrel666]

That was probably just exhaust and heat from the car. The temperature was in the low 30s when this happened. The car is on a slight downward slope toward the rear so some of the exhaust gases would come back under the car.

[@Texczechpolka]

I think you may be right - poor decision to try to cross the tracks, but I think this was not planned. First, hard to see in both angles, but she has her hazard lights flashing. Second, on the PTZ angle, if you turn up the sound really loud (especially with headphones), right after the car honks, then as the car comes into view and starts toward the tracks, you can hear rattling, like she is either driving on blown-out tires, or dragging something under her car. That would explain the smoke/steam you can see on the North cam right as the train makes impact. I think this was (just my opinion) someone a little too impaired who probably hit something driving home, thought she could make it and beat the train, but the car gave out right there on the tracks.

[@coinman1972]

COMPLETELY INTENTIONAL!

[@warrenwoodhouse]

I love how you added the different camera views. Here’s a tip from me, for the chapters, the first section is your intro, then camera 1, camera 2, etc. 1). INTRO 2). PTZ Camera 3). North Camera 4). OUTRO just add the timestamps and you’re set. 😁

[@Anitasemp]

I agree with you all, definitely planned 👍

[@chuckhunter328]

Would love to know if the driver was cited.

[@thomasboese3793]

I'm thinking the driver doesn't actually own the car.

[@stargazer7644]

The driver was charged with misdemeanor hit and run, driving without a license, and driving without insurance.

[@MikeG42]

I like the sound of the train when it goes into emergency

[@rodney2942]

I think Thomas Boese wins the 🥇 for replying to comments. Keep up the good work.

[@SarahRenz59]

I would've loved to hear the conversation between the driver and the police... Driver: The car stalled! There was nothing I could do! Cop: We'll review the video and see if any charges are in order. Driver: Video...?!? Cop: Oh, yeah, there's a railfan website that has cameras on the tracks 24/7. They've shared their tapes with us plenty of times. Really helps us see the true picture. Driver: Ooohhhhh... Cop: Can you get a family member or friend to come here with a change of clothes? Looks like you're having a Code Brown...

[@ChaiLatte13]

There was no conversation. The person fled the scene. When the incident was still on replay you could see that they were not there when the EMT/police and good samaritans arrived.

[@FumbleAIBO]

@@ChaiLatte13 , I'll bet you're a lot of fun at parties 😆

[@res1945]

That vapor that was seen just before the car was hit could have been the exhaust blowing under the car from a cold breeze blowing from the right.....

[@Dulcimerist]

Wondering if the person caught their significant other cheating and decided to take their car for a spin.

[@mpaulk2023]

I see whatcha did there..... spin...sure.

[@brianpellegrini2952]

That is some BS! Great the driver got out unhurt, however the train engineer has no clue who could be in the car he just hit! Not knowing if you just killed people or a child in the car, huge unnecessary emotional distress for them!

[@leepenlack5548]

that accident looked like it was on purpose, the car was running and did not look disabled

[@Susque1]

You get all kinds......even on Virtual Railfan! -shakes my head-

[@hvfd5956]

Everyone - please pay attention to how long it took the train to stop. I came across a like event in Houston years ago, when coming home from a shift. Kenworth Cab-over on it's face. Trailer in thousands of pieces spread over about 3/4 of a mile. Driver had stopped for coffee because he was "tired". In process of returning to the freeway. There were 4 motels within a mile of this event. I walked down with the cops to talk to the engineer. Damage to the train, bent hand rail (still usable) and a cut sand line. In other words, it didn't faze the engine. With respect to this video, I leave the results to the investigators. If it isn't more than 3 years old, many insurance companies would say it is repairable. Like others, should you hear of the results, it would be nice if it were shared.

[@centralmississippirails9130]

It’s definitely totaled

[@FumbleAIBO]

Update from Richmond Times-Dispatch: "Authorities in Ashland said they have identified and charged the driver of a vehicle that was hit by a train early Sunday. Lizzeth Calderon Henriquez was charged with misdemeanor hit and run, operating a vehicle without a driver’s license, and operating a vehicle without insurance. Henriquez was last seen on Sunday exiting her vehicle that was stopped on the tracks near England Street and Railroad Avenue, police said. Henriquez was driving westbound when her car went through the railroad crossing as the arms were coming down. Henriquez was able to exit the vehicle before a southbound CSX train struck the vehicle, police said. She then fled on foot westbound on Thompson Street and was later identified by Ashland police, they said. “Subsequent to an investigation, it was determined that there was no intentional effort on the part of the driver to damage or interfere with train operations or critical infrastructure,” the Ashland Police Department said in a statement.

[@philipbyrnes7501]

@@FumbleAIBO Would be good of you to repost this in the main section of the video and not just here on the reply section if you would be so kind. I’m grateful that you posted it here and for the information and I think a lot of other people would be too, many who wouldn’t necessarily bother to read through sub comments to find best information but either way, thank you for satisfying the curiosity of an old Aussie that stumbled upon this remarkable story, and thus both of our remarks lol, yeah, Aussie humour there or maybe just mine doh lol anyway, have a great day and thanks again 😎👍

[@kennethjohnson4280]

A bent frame is not reparable. Its a total.

[@NoName-zn1sb]

its face

[@louielunch3172]

This was well planned if it was intentional. Turned on the 4 ways as drove on the tracks. The car slowed down without break lights and rolled back.

[@BarredCoast0]

That woman took her boyfriends car because she was upset that he cheated on her and deliberately parked it in the path of an oncoming train. (my speculation). Obviously intentionally done.

[@norfolksouthernrailfan2006]

I was thinking the same thing!

[@ChaiLatte13]

My husband thought a similar thing. wow lol

[@hansenfiet2539]

Yup!

[@hugeshows]

You might be on to something

[@FumbleAIBO]

Title cracks me up 😁 has there *ever* been a train vs car case where a car won?

[@kpn820]

We’ll that’s one way to hear a horn at Ashland

[@CT-4274]

Another problem is that there are people who genuinely think it's the train's fault when something gets hit on the tracks

[@GryphonDigitalArt]

Well it failed to stop for the first barrier, but there was always the second for ‘just in case’ 😀😉

[@treyjordan3168]

booooo

[@mpaulk2023]

🤣😂🤣🤣😂🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️ also, "when in doubt, get out", right?!?? 😂😂🤣🤣

[@liquidragonfu5546]

If you look close looks like the car was giving off some smoke before the train even hit it, can see it in the train's lights from second view.

[@jjaagg5050]

Would love to know the story and the follow up.

[@FumbleAIBO]

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch: "uthorities in Ashland said they have identified and charged the driver of a vehicle that was hit by a train early Sunday. Lizzeth Calderon Henriquez was charged with misdemeanor hit and run, operating a vehicle without a driver’s license, and operating a vehicle without insurance. Henriquez was last seen on Sunday exiting her vehicle that was stopped on the tracks near England Street and Railroad Avenue, police said. Henriquez was driving westbound when her car went through the railroad crossing as the arms were coming down. Henriquez was able to exit the vehicle before a southbound CSX train struck the vehicle, police said. She then fled on foot westbound on Thompson Street and was later identified by Ashland police, they said. “Subsequent to an investigation, it was determined that there was no intentional effort on the part of the driver to damage or interfere with train operations or critical infrastructure,” the Ashland Police Department said in a statement."

[@TrainLoverHimu]

Great video, well filmed.👍🎥👍👍👍😊

[@LostShipMate]

Its actually impressive how fast that train stopped. Most trains near me takes nearly 15 minutes to fully stop(they also take 1.5 hours to go through the only bridge intersection out of town).

[@h5skb4ru41]

Bro do they use soap or what?

[@HarryPat13]

When did the crossing arm pole been repaired?

[@SteveSmithRailways]

Surprised that you put this video up tbh. Look deliberate and was certainly not a nice thing for the engineer to have to endure.

[@_Devil]

Its astonishing how people dont ever think to themsleves "Huh, I wonder if I could full-force this 2 ton metal horse through that small arm that just lowered?" When stuck on railroad tracks

[@FumbleAIBO]

Or even just drive onto the empty sidewalk and go around it. Driving on a sidewalk is bad, but being hit by a train is worse

[@geniferteal4178]

The Gates lower by gravity. You can walk up to a down gate and lift it by hand. Not saying it's that easy but it can be done because it's not connected to anything. I've seen cars go under at speed maybe 30-40 miles an hour and the gate just bounced up the windshield and the car passed underneath without it even hitting the trunk before it settles back down. Also it only takes a 30 mile an hour wind for them to be in danger of breaking. Not sure how that relates to a car hitting it head-on. Generally they break pretty easy when hit that way.

[@JeffreyGroves]

The driver doesn't even turn-around at the moment of impact. This looks to be intentional as others have mentioned.

[@morganjanelle4282]

Lizzeth Calderon Henriquez (the driver of the car) was charged with misdemeanor hit and run, operating a vehicle without a driver’s license, and operating a vehicle without insurance. The investigation determined that there was no intentional effort on her part to damage or interfere with train operations.

[@ukknightrider]

I still can’t believe 2 cars did the exact same thing WOW !