On the morning of Saturday, April 13, 2024, a horrific collision occurred when a train slammed into a pickup truck near Notus, approximately 35 miles west of Boise in southwestern Idaho, killing four individuals. The crash happened around 8:20 a.m. on a private road intersecting with railroad tracks where a Chevrolet Silverado failed to yield to the oncoming train.
According to the Idaho State Police, the occupants of the vehicle—a 38-year-old man, a 36-year-old woman, and two juveniles—all hailed from Nampa, Idaho. They were pronounced dead at the scene. Among the victims, it was reported that the 36-year-old woman had been wearing her seatbelt, although, tragically, this was not enough to save her life.
An ongoing investigation into the incident by the Idaho State Police, in cooperation with the Canyon County Coroner, seeks to shed light on the exact circumstances of the crash. Lieutenant Shane Turman of the Idaho State Police expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “We are diligently working to provide answers during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with the families of those who have lost loved ones.”
The rising trend in railroad crossing accidents remains a national concern despite various safety campaigns and technological advancements to reduce such tragedies. According to initial data from the Federal Railroad Administration, there were 2,190 collisions at highway-rail grade crossings in the U.S. during 2023. Out of these, Texas experienced the highest number of collisions, with 248 incidents leading to 16 deaths and 75 injuries.
Recently, in February, in South Royalton, Massachusetts, 92-year-old grandmother Rhea LaRoche was killed when her SUV was struck by a train. After becoming disoriented while driving from Westminster, Massachusetts, LaRoche ended up on an unlit stretch of railroad tracks. The Royalton Police Department reported that the SUV was stationary on the tracks at a private crossing on Acton Place when it was hit by a 78-car southbound freight train operated by New England Central Railroad around 3:15 a.m.
Royalton Police Chief Loretta Stalnaker noted that it was too late to avoid the collision by the time the train engineer saw the vehicle. The SUV was facing north with its headlights turned off at the time of the accident, and LaRoche was pronounced dead at the scene.
The circumstances leading to LaRoche and her car being stranded on a dark railway line at the end of a cul-de-sac during the night in a region she had no connection with remain unclear.
However, law enforcement and relatives of LaRoche suspect that she became confused and subsequently went astray while driving after departing from an arranged meeting in Westminster, located on Route 2.
Nancy Allard, LaRoche’s niece, mentioned that her aunt had left for a regular salon visit on Tuesday and failed to come back to her residence.
“This is a stark reminder of the vital importance of obeying traffic signals at railroad crossings,” said a spokesperson from the Federal Railroad Administration. “Our goal is to work with local communities to enhance safety measures and awareness around these areas.”
As part of the ongoing investigation, authorities are reviewing all factors, including potential signals at the crossing and the train’s speed at the time of the collision. The results of the inquiry will likely contribute to broader efforts to improve railroad safety and prevent future losses.
Local residents have expressed their shock and mourning over the incident. One local, Emily Johnson, noted, “It’s heartbreaking. This is a small community, and such events shake us all. We never think something like this will happen here.”
The community of Notus and surrounding areas are coming together to support the families of the victims during this challenging time. Local churches and community centers have offered counseling services and are organizing memorials to honor lost lives.