2 hours ago A train that slammed into a stationary vehicle at a level crossing in the Las Vegas Valley last month had passed a red signal before the collision, according to a preliminary report released by federal investigators. The crash, which occurred on the morning of February 14 near the intersection of Sahara Avenue and Valley View Boulevard, killed two people and critically injured a third. The National Transportation Safety Board’s findings mark a critical development in the probe, raising immediate questions about signal integrity and crew response at a crossing long considered a high-risk point for commuters.
The NTSB report, obtained by Sincity Press, indicates that the Union Pacific freight train was traveling at approximately 45 miles per hour when it entered the crossing against a red light. The crossing gates were down and warning lights were flashing at the time of impact, the report states. Investigators have not yet determined why the train failed to stop, but they are examining data from the locomotive’s event recorder and interviewing the train’s crew. The crossing, which sees heavy traffic from both vehicles and pedestrians, has been the site of at least three other serious incidents in the past five years, according to local transportation records.
The findings have reignited debate over rail safety in Southern Nevada, where freight and passenger trains share corridors with dense urban traffic. City officials have long pushed for additional safety measures at the Sahara crossing, including four-quadrant gates that block all lanes, but funding has been slow to materialize. For residents who live near the tracks, the report confirms a fear that mechanical or human error, not just driver negligence, can lead to tragedy. As the NTSB continues its investigation, the implications for future rail policy in Las Vegas are significant, with advocates calling for immediate upgrades and stricter oversight of signal systems across the valley.
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