At about 8:47 AM on 03/30/24, CHP personnel responded to SR-44 at the BNSF railroad grade crossing east of County Road A-21, for a vehicle vs. freight train crash. Lara Hoover of Las Vegas, NV, was driving her 2023 Honda Ridgeline eastbound on SR-44 which was snow and ice covered. The train was traveling northbound approaching SR-44 and consisted of three (3) engines and a line of freight cars. As the Honda approached the crossing, Hoover braked but the Honda began to slide on the slippery road. As the train entered the crossing, the Honda rotated in a clockwise direction so that it was nearly parallel to the train when the left side of the Honda struck the right side of the first freight car. The Honda sustained major left rear damage, but no intrusion into the passenger compartment, and Hoover reported no injuries as a result of the crash.
SR-44 was closed for approximately 1 hours and 50 minutes while the vehicle was removed and the train, tracks, and crossing were inspected for safety.
