Freight Train Derails in Small West Texas City After Collision, Resulting in 2 Deaths and 3 Injuries

Authorities reported that two Union Pacific employees lost their lives and three individuals sustained injuries when a freight train collided with a tractor-trailer and derailed in a small West Texas town on Thursday.

The derailment occurred at approximately 5 p.m. Wednesday in Pecos, following the accident at a railway crossing. Union Pacific, headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, confirmed the fatalities of the two employees. Pecos Police Chief Lisa Tarango indicated that the other injuries were minor.

While the train was transporting hazardous materials, officials stated that none were released during the derailment. The hazardous cargo consisted of lithium-ion batteries and airbags.

Leaked diesel fuel from the train was contained, according to officials.

The National Transportation Safety Board dispatched a team to the scene for investigation. In a statement on Thursday, they noted that they do not determine or speculate on the cause during the initial phase of the investigation.

Ronald Lee, the emergency services chief for Reeves County, mentioned that some of the injured individuals were located in the Chamber of Commerce building, which suffered damage in the derailment. Officials advised against entering the building until it could be inspected by an engineer due to the “significant enough” damage.

Railroad safety has garnered attention following a Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, in early 2023, which resulted in a hazardous chemical spill and fire. Regulators have called for increased safety measures within the industry, and congressional members proposed a reform package, but significant changes in operations have yet to manifest, and the legislative effort has stalled.

Eddie Hall, the national president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union representing engineers, stated that this derailment is “a reminder that much more needs to be done to enhance rail safety.”

He emphasized that this incident “should serve as a wake-up call to legislators to improve rail safety.”

Photos from the crash site in Pecos reveal that the train was transporting metal shipping containers stacked two high.

Pecos, home to a population of around 13,000, is situated approximately 200 miles east of El Paso.

Tarango confirmed that cleanup operations are currently in progress.