On 12/28/2018, at approximately 2245 hours, the Merced Communication Center (MCC) received a call of a traffic collision involving a vehicle versus train on SR-132 west of Santa Fe Ave. Officers from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Modesto Area Office responded to
the scene and investigated the collision.
During the course of the investigation it was determined a 41 year old male was driving a 2005 Dodge eastbound on SR-132 (Yosemite Blvd.) at an unknown speed, and was approaching an active rail road crossing. Mr. Marty was engineering and operating a Amtrak Locomotive southbound on the rail road tracks west of Santa Fe Ave., approaching the intersection with Yosemite Blvd. For an unknown reason, the male driver allowed the Dodge to proceed around the lowered rail road crossing arms, and continue eastbound toward Santa Fe Ave. The male drove the Dodge directly into the path of the Amtrak Locomotive, allowing the front of the Amtrak Locomotive to collide with the driver side of the Dodge. The male driver succumbed to his injuries at the scene of the collision. Neither Mr. Marty nor any passenger on the Amtrak Locomotive sustained any injuries as a result of the collision.
This collision is still under investigation.