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By Sophie Clark
Live News Reporter
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What's New
One person was killed and several others were injured after a train derailed in the Texas city of Pecos, local authorities said.
The train collided with a tractor trailer sitting on the tracks near Oak St. and Dot Stafford St. at around 5.45 p.m. Wednesday, according to a statement from the city government reported by kwtx.com.
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After colliding with the trailer, the train barreled into the Chamber of Commerce building, according to CBS News.
Charles Lino, Pecos' city manager, said that three of the train cars were carrying hazardous materials, but that they had not been breached.
"The only breach of any material we have right now is diesel from the engine. It has been contained. So there's no hazard to the public at this time," he said.
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What To Know
Texas State Representative Eddie Morales Jr. said that the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) was on standby, but no state assistance was currently needed.
Morales Jr. said on Facebook that the situation was ongoing and "under control of the Reeves County Emergency Management Coordinator."
The city of Pecos has assured the public there was no immediate threat to public safety. "At this moment, there are no new updates...We ask the public to stay away from the Chamber of Commerce area until further notice," it said in a statement.
Union Pacific, which controls the railroad, said it was "investigating this fluid situation as [they] cooperate with local first responders," according to CBS News.
This is not the first time that a Union Pacific train has derailed in Pecos. In 2018, one of their trains derailed while travelling to Fort Worth.
Why It Matters
Following the freight train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, in February 2023, the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) opened an investigation into how to improve public safety and reduce dangerous derailments.
Their report suggested phasing out older DOT-111 and CPC-1232 tank cars in favor of new DOT-117 and DOT-105 cars.
However, Tristan H. Brown, PHMSA deputy administrator, said: "Unfortunately, our agencies' efforts to phase out these tank cars was met with resistance from industry lobbyists, which ultimately resulted in a 2016 congressional mandate that delayed the phase out of the DOT-111 tank cars.
"This delayed schedule will remain in place unless Congress acts to change it."
While Wednesday's crash did not result in a hazardous spill, the push to phase out older and less robust train cars has been met with resistance.
Separately, Lino responded to criticism from social media users who said the crash was caused by the lack of a truck route.
"The County, City and TxDOT have plans for a truck route already in place. The timing of the completion is an open item," he told Newsweek.
"TxDOT is conducting the environmental assessments and preliminary plans are on the TxDOT website. As is normal, sometimes the funding is redirected. We are at the mercy of the Federal and State authorities as it will be a State roadway."
What People Are Saying
Texas State Representative Eddie Morales Jr. said: "I ask you to join me in praying for the Union Pacific family, the families of those impacted, and the City of Pecos."
What Happens Next
Reeves County officials said they will provide further updates later on Thursday, unless there is breaking news. They have asked people not to speculate on social media.
Update 12/19/24 9:21am ET: This story was updated to include comment from Charles Lino, Pecos' city manager.
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