Rathdrum Man Hit By Train Critically Injured When Train Strikes Front Of Car At Crossing

A 25-year-old man was in critical condition Friday after his car was hit by a train in downtown Rathdrum.

Brian L. Wilson of Rathdrum was being treated in Kootenai Medical Center’s intensive care unit after undergoing surgery for his injuries.

So far this year, there have been 31 train-car crashes around the state. That’s six more than last year, according to officials with the Idaho Department of Transportation.

“It is the driving public’s responsibility to look and listen at the crossings,” said Bill Delyea, a train engineer. He also belongs to Operation Lifesaver, an organization that promotes safety at railroad crossings. “These collisions are 100 percent avoidable.”

Wilson was headed south on Mill Street in downtown Rathdrum at about 3:10 a.m. Friday, said Idaho State Police Cpl. Jordan Ferguson. Officials believe Wilson was on his way home after spending the evening with friends.

At the same time, a Montana Rail Link train was headed west on the Burlington Northern tracks that run through town.

“The engineer and conductor never saw the car,” Ferguson said. “They first knew about the accident when they hit it.”

The Mill Street railroad crossing is marked with flashing lights and bells.

ISP officials are not sure whether Wilson failed to stop for the train or merely parked too close to the crossing. But Ferguson said he believes alcohol was a factor.

“He wasn’t on the metal rails themselves,” Ferguson said. “He was just about a foot closer than he should have been.”

The train hit the front end of the car and Wilson was thrown out, Ferguson said. Wilson was only two blocks from his home. He was not wearing a seat belt.

The collision was the sixth train-car incident in Kootenai County this year.

Although state-wide there have been more collisions this year than last, there have been fewer fatalities and injuries, said Lee Wilson, a Transportation Department staff engineer. He is no relation to the injured man.

So far this year, Idaho’s 31 collisions have resulted in five fatalities and 13 injuries. Last year there were seven fatalities and 16 injuries, Lee Wilson said.

The last time there was an injury accident at the Mill Street crossing was in 1981, according to the ITD.

However, the Mill Street crossing, along with the neighboring crossing at McCartney Street in downtown Rathdrum, are both scheduled for improvements in 1999.

Both crossings will receive swing arms that come down to stop traffic. Pedestrian arms to block the sidewalk will also be installed at both crossings, Lee Wilson said.

But Delyea of Operation Lifesaver said education is the key to reducing accidents. He warned drivers to stop at least 15 feet away from a railroad crossing.

“When you go in front of a train you are 30 times more likely to lose your life than in any other motor vehicle collision,” he said.

There is a 4000-to-1 weight ratio between a car and the average train, he said. “That is the same weight ratio as a 12 ounce can of pop to a 3,000 pound car.”

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