Student Crossing Railroad Tracks Is Killed by Train
A 16-year-old La Puente student was killed Thursday morning when he was struck by a freight train as he crossed the Union Pacific railroad tracks in Industry on the way to school, authorities said.
Union Pacific officials said John Mendez had just gotten off a bus and was walking across the tracks to Santana High School--a block away--when he was hit by the train traveling 55 mph.
“The crossing was guarded and the flashing lights and bells were going off,” said John Bromley, director of public affairs for Union Pacific. “The eastbound train was blowing the horn and had its headlight on.”
Witnesses, including other students, told investigators that Mendez did not react to the train, officials said.
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