EL MONTE : Motorist Drives Around Train, Is Killed by 2nd One

A motorist who drove around a stopped train at an El Monte crossing was killed Tuesday when a second train collided with his pickup truck.

The crash occurred about 7 a.m. at a crossing on Arden Drive, according to El Monte Police Lt. Ken Jeske. The motorist was not identified.

Southern Pacific spokesman Mike Fertney said the 25-car, six-locomotive train that struck the pickup was bound from Long Beach to Memphis, Tenn.

The stationary train “apparently had pulled onto the adjacent track to allow the higher priority train to pass,” Fertney said. “The speed limit allows [trains] to go at 60 m.p.h. through that stretch.”