Freight train fatalities mount as 5 killed in four incidents across US 

Incidents in Texas, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania highlight hazards near rail crossings

(Photo: FreightWaves/Jim Allen)

Five people were killed and two others were injured in four separate freight train collisions across the U.S. over the past week, including fatal incidents in the San Antonio area and southeast Michigan.

The accidents, which occurred between Thursday and Tuesday, involved both vehicles and pedestrians being struck by freight trains in Texas, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

The most recent incident occurred Tuesday evening in southwest Bexar County, Texas, near San Antonio, when a vehicle was struck by a train on Macdona-Lacoste Road near Wisdom Road. 

Authorities said three people in the vehicle suffered critical injuries. One of the victims later died, while the two others are expected to recover, according to KSAT News. Investigators have not released details on what led to the collision.

Earlier Tuesday morning, a man was killed after being struck by a Norfolk Southern freight train in a rural area southeast of Ypsilanti, Michigan, reported The Ann Arbor News.

Officials said the victim was on foot when he was hit around 4:41 a.m. on tracks between McKean and Bunton roads in Augusta Township. The collision did not occur at a public crossing, according to local fire officials.

Two other fatal train-pedestrian accidents were reported on Thursday.

In Reidsville, North Carolina, two people were killed after a Norfolk Southern freight train struck them while they were sitting on railroad tracks, according to police. Officers responded to the scene shortly after 6 p.m. and continued to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, according to ABC45.

Later that night in Erie, Pennsylvania, a 16-year-old boy was killed after being struck by a freight train near the intersection of Grahamville and South Lake streets, reported Erie News Now. Emergency responders were called to the scene shortly before 11 p.m., and the victim was pronounced dead early the following morning.

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Compliance

Brokerage Compliance Symposium

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Awards

F3 Awards Dinner

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now

Noi Mahoney

Noi Mahoney is a Texas-based journalist who covers cross-border trade, logistics and supply chains for FreightWaves. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in English in 1998. Mahoney has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working for newspapers in Maryland and Texas. Contact nmahoney@freightwaves.com