The death of the teenager emphasizes the persistent dangers of pedestrian train crossings

The death of a student from a train on Wednesday in the Mishawaka high school has again taken up concern about the safety of pedestrians near railway rails.

The 16-year-old Victor Smith-Moreland died after he had completed a train to the east near the intersection of the Merrifield Avenue and 4th Street, shortly after 3:15 p.m. that the police went home from school in the second year and may have been distracted from his phone at the time of the accident.

“It was only ruled as an accident,” said the police from Mishawaka SGT. Steve Headley said. “Just an unfortunate accident.”

Smith-Moreland went near a area that has long said due to its proximity to the high school and its name as a quiet zone. In calm zones, train operators do not routinely sound their horns if they approach intersections – unless they recognize an immediate danger.

“The trains in the city of Mishawaka do not sound their horn unless there is a danger – like a vehicle or a person on the tracks,” said Headley. “This is ruled by the city ordinance, and years ago it was set up near residents near the tracks due to life quality complaints.”

The police say that the crossers were below and the lights flashed at the time of the accident. Witnesses told the investigators that Smith-Moreland had concentrated on his phone.

“If you have to cross the railway rails, make sure the coast is clear,” said Headley. “Look in both directions, just like you at a regular intersection. If these goals are lowered, this intersection is regarded as closed – no vehicles, bicycles or pedestrians should occur.”

Headley emphasized that trains cannot stop quickly and try to cross while a train is approaching, can have fatal consequences.

“Depending on how much the train weighs, it can take a mile to stop after you have reached the emergency brakes,” he said. “Is it really worth the risk?”

The police also reminded the public that it is not only dangerous to be on railroad ownership outside the designated intersections – it is illegal. The violation to railway rails is a criminal offense, and violations can be arrested without warning.

Headley said Mishawaka sees every year a handful of train pedestrian incidents, often due to distractions or trying to hit the train.

“Unfortunately, the train will win 100% of the time,” he said.

The Mishawaka High School brought mourning consultants to support pupils and employees in the procedure of the loss of Smith-Moreland.

The investigation of the incident remains.