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Tow Truck Driver Dead After Train Hits Vehicle in Cardiff

The Amtrak train hit a tow truck Saturday afternoon at Chesterfield Drive and Hwy. 101.

Updated at 9 p.m. Saturday

A driver was killed when an Amtrak train struck a tow truck today in Cardiff-By-The-Sea, according to a spokesman for the North County Transit District.

The crash was reported about 2:35 p.m. at Chesterfield Drive and South Coast Highway 101, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department said.

The tow truck's driver was killed in the crash, but no other injuries were reported, according to Ryan Ross, public information officer for the NCTD.

It remained unclear why the truck was near the tracks, Ross said.

A bus bridge was initially set up to pick up Coaster passengers in Solana Beach and take them north, but they were later directed to re-board the Coaster train and continue northbound at a reduced speed, according to the NCTD.

—City News Service

MH December 8, 2012 at 10:36 pm
So sad. It is such a dangerous crossing if you are not from here and don't realize how frequent the trains are. Hopefully they can do something about it so it reduces the chance of this happening again.
Sarah Riccitelli December 8, 2012 at 11:51 pm
OMG! How sad. I've always hated that intersection. Well, I hope whomever it is rests in peace & wish a speedy recovery for the deceased's passenger.
Heather December 8, 2012 at 11:53 pm
Was this a case of stopping on the crossing here? The intersection here gets very crammed full of cars & they frequently don't stop behind the tracks. I see it all the time & happened to drive past today after this tragedy.
Ken Harrison December 8, 2012 at 11:54 pm
The other person injured was on the train and should be fine.
Ken Harrison December 8, 2012 at 11:56 pm
The deceased was a tow truck driver that stopped to help a customer that stalled near the tracks. He couldn't move the truck quick enough.
Nic December 9, 2012 at 05:10 am
i am a tow opp and it is our. job to clear. no matter i am also married to his cousin. he is a great man. fly ur plan low too night
Nic December 9, 2012 at 05:12 am
i am sorry. i ment to say flag
Ken Harrison December 9, 2012 at 10:13 am
Nic, Love and Blessings to your cousin's family. The whole community is sadden by your family's loss. I used to drive AAA in the old days.
Tom Mciver December 9, 2012 at 01:04 pm
Why couldn't the train stop in time? Isn't there a long straight section in either direction?
Dev Marcus December 9, 2012 at 01:17 pm
Very sad for the driver and his family. Maybe this will inspire some changes at that intersection. For those drivers who don't live in the area, and even those who are familiar with the area, it's common to get stuck sitting to close to the tracks, with traffic behind you and in front of you. Trains should be forced to stop at that intersection
mmc December 9, 2012 at 01:40 pm
Why doesn't Amtrak and Santa Fe Rail consider undergrounding the train, like in Solana Beach crossing (which used to be at street grade) and then if there is no conflict with cars and trains, there will be no loss of life.
The sand could then be used to transport to the beach for replenishment. Something will have to be done prior to the major linking of the seaside park to the business district, as everyone currently faces the danger. It took too many injuries/deaths to make the Vulcan Street undercrossing a reality. Let's learn from this and take ACTION, not complain.
Tom Mciver December 9, 2012 at 02:09 pm
And my deepest sympathies go to the family of the deceased. I have always found AAA recovery drivers to be helpful, considerate and totally professional. That crossing is dangerous and I agree with the undergrounding suggestion.
Jessica hauptfleisch December 9, 2012 at 02:17 pm
Very sad we heard a big boom and saw it. It happened right as we were walking in pacific coast grill acrossed the street. It's such a sad way to go and he was only 27. My prays go out to his family.
againstthegrain December 9, 2012 at 04:53 pm
I'm wondering if the rail authorities and local sheriffs were notified that a car was stalled on the track. Seems to me that should have been taken care of asap, before any attempt to tow the vehicle was even started, so the train could have been delayed until the vehicle was cleared of the tracks.
Ken Harrison December 10, 2012 at 12:42 am
As one who was on the scene as a member of the media, lets be clear what happened. The SUV was not on the tracks. It stalled just before the tracks. The driver made a split decision to try to quickly get the car out of the area ASAP by hooking it up to his flatbed truck. In hindsight he should have pushed it across the tracks and into a safer area, but before stopping to render service, he had already pulled in front of the SUV. When the warning bells went off, reportedly he got the woman and her passenger out of the way, then tried to move his truck. No one truly has any idea how fast a moving train quickly approaches, same when someone thinks they can run across a 150 foot freeway and beat the approaching cars. It was a decision he made, and it was the wrong one. The mistake cost him his life. But he thought about his fellow person first, and that makes him worth remembering, saying a prayer, and shedding a tear.
BB December 10, 2012 at 02:22 am
@ allthatca
don't be weenie...I didn't say anything about the guy one way or the other. I didn't know him. But, I DO know he made a bad decision that cost him his life and put others at great risk. Would you or anyone say he was a hero when the engine that flew through the air and landed 500 yards down the track struck and killed your little girl or little boy? I do have a job, am a Paramedic and think I know just a little about putting others in danger trying to be a "hero". Think before you knee jerk reply. I am not attacking his character, but the decision he made.
allthatca December 10, 2012 at 11:53 am
@BB
all of your comments are rude and inappropriate, but hey we're all entitled to our opinions right?? ....go away...
BB December 10, 2012 at 12:05 pm
If the truth is "rude and inappropriate" then so be it. Again, try being relevant.
Daniel Woolfolk (Editor) December 10, 2012 at 02:07 pm
I just deleted a few comments that harassed commenters. Please keep it civil. Harassing comments violate our terms of use.
bnat December 10, 2012 at 03:17 pm
I know the person who owned the car and she is beside herself with grief about what happened. I am sorry he tried to make everything right and lost his life. I agree that the train should be under street level like Solana Beach and Vulcan. I wish the whole line could be that way. It runs along all the beach communities and is so dangerous for the pedestrians.
BB December 10, 2012 at 03:58 pm
What everyone keeps failing to notice and just won't face is that this accident was 100% PREVENTABLE. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY 100,000% avoidable, plain and simple. Does anyone get that?
Modern society loves to hail someone a hero just because they die. Again, I did not know this guy or anyone involved, but I do know this. When you create a situation that puts your own life and hundreds of others in extreme danger and then try to fix that mistake doesn't make you a hero. It is just reasonable expectation, if the person has any mind at all, to try to fix it. In this case, it was too late.
BB December 10, 2012 at 03:58 pm
So, my comments that ask legitimate questions or state facts get deleted because they are too "offensive", yet the one that uses a derogatory remark towards me is ok? That's alright...just a sign of the times.
Daniel Woolfolk (Editor) December 10, 2012 at 05:04 pm
BB, I've deleted that one now.
Anonymous December 10, 2012 at 10:44 pm
I loved him very much. Rest in peace Shaun.
Anonymous December 14, 2012 at 03:11 pm
Anonymous
He was a great man! He had the most amazing smile and was full of life. HIs dad loved him very much and his face lit up when he spoke of his son. He will be in our thoughts and hearts forever. What a very sad time for his family.
Ken Harrison December 14, 2012 at 03:46 pm
For all, memorial this Saturday in Lemon Grove, burial Monday
Service Information Remembrance Gathering Saturday, December 15, 2012 10:00a.m. - 2:00p.m. Conrad Lemon Grove Mortuary 7387 Broadway Lemon Grove, CA 91945-1533 Funeral Mass Monday, December 17, 2012 10:00a.m. St. John of the Cross Catholic Church 8086 Broadway Lemon Grove, CA 91945-2532

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