January 3, 2024 - Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that on January 2nd, 2024, at approximately 10:36 a.m., deputies from the Camarillo Police Department responded to the intersection of Lewis Road (SR34) and Upland Road for a train versus vehicle traffic collision.
A vehicle was traveling westbound on Upland Road and stopped on the railroad track. The train was traveling southbound on the railroad track as it entered the city limit. The train engineer noticed a vehicle stopped on the railroad track and applied emergency braking in an attempt to stop the train. The train collided with the vehicle and pushed it into the signal control box that controls the railroad arms.
The collision caused life threatening injuries to the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle. Due to the severity of the driver’s injuries, the driver was airlifted by helicopter to a nearby hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries.
Due to the collision, the traffic signals at the intersection will be flashing red at least until Wednesday morning. When approaching an intersection with flashing red lights, you are required to stop.
The collision is still under investigation by the Camarillo Police Department Traffic Bureau.
Anyone who might have witnessed the collision is asked to contact Senior Deputy Luke Riordan at the Camarillo Police Department at (805) 388-5100.
As a reminder to motorists, remember to obey all railroad marking signs and do not stop on the railroad tracks. Per the California Vehicle Code, motorists are required to stop as soon as the railroad arm flashing red lights are illuminated whether or not the railroad arms are down.
Source & photo: Ventura County Sheriff's Office
