Sheriff Deputy is Sideswiped by Train in Rush to Save Infant

The officer sustained only minor injuries.

Cars and trains collide and the car always wins – even though there are Sheriff markings and flashing lights on its roof. After being rammed by a freight train in Midland County Texas, the officer was able to escape with minor injuries and bruises. It could have been worse, as you can see in the video at the top.

Sheriff Deputy is Sideswiped by Train in Rush to Save Infant

The circumstances surrounding the crash were not as simple as you might think. CB7, Odessa, Texas reports that the deputy responding to an emergency call about a baby who wasn’t breathing was the sheriff. The Chevrolet Tahoe police car stopped at the tracks as a train passed from left to right. The deputy presses the gas as soon as the last car is gone. However, there were tracks crossing the track with a train heading in the opposite direction and this arrived as the cruiser was about to cross the tracks. The above video shows another perspective from closer to the tracks. It is fortunate that the train didn’t go faster and that the impact, while causing significant damage to the SUV, was more of an abrasive blow that drove it away from the tracks. It could have been pushed further down the track, potentially causing more injuries to the officer.

Railroad crossings should be avoided at all costs. However, the video clearly shows that this was an accident. There was a need to move quickly as an infant’s life was at risk. However, the first train blocked the second train from view until it was too late. We are grateful that the deputy received only bumps and bruises. We hope the infant is okay