Martin Co., Texas - News: Pedro Avalos, Truck Collided With Train ================================================================= Submitted to the Martin County, TXGenWeb by: Michelle White ================================================================= STANTON, TEXAS - A Stanton man is dead after the pickup truck he was driving collided with a train. It happened at around five o'clock Sunday evening, at a railroad crossing near the intersection of Highway 80 and Saint Peter Street. Officials say the driver of this truck - identified as 76-year-old Pedro Avalos, of Stanton - simply didn't see the train coming. This intersection does not have crossing arms to warn when a train is approaching. This is the fourth train-motor vehicle collision in the year 2006. And, officials say, this is third person killed because of a train track without crossing arms in Stanton. Officials go on to say this was the last train intersection the city was working on to install crossing arms. "It's a sad deal, especially on New Year's eve," said Martin County Sheriff Randy Cozart. "But it's sad anytime anybody is tragically killed like this." Cozart was one of the emergency responders on the scene where Avalos was killed, after his pickup was hit by a train, and then dragged for nearly a mile. His pickup was wrapped around the front of the train, crushed like an aluminum can. "According to witnesses [he] just eased up on track, and slowed down, and sped up," it was reported. Witnesses say the driver failed to stop at the crossing. Train officials say the impact was severe, damaging the train's engine, and shattering the windows with flying gravel. Officials say this is not the first time someone was killed at a train crossing in Stanton. "The reason we're having so many wrecks is, we don't have the crossing arms," it was suggested. "But I do know the city is working on it." Unfortunately, just a day before the new year, a Stanton family is ending the old year on a somber note. Stanton police continue to investigate the accident. ---