ESCONDIDO — An 86-year-old San Marcos man was killed after his truck was struck by a Sprinter train earlier this week.
The collision occurred shortly after 1 p.m. near the intersection of Mission Road and Enterprise Street, where the driver, Walter Robbins, was driving a 2018 Toyota Tundra westbound, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff’s investigators said Robbins made a right turn onto Enterprise Street, drove through the lowered railroad crossing arms and came to a stop on the tracks, where he was struck by a westbound Sprinter train.
The operator activated emergency braking but was unable to stop in time, according to statements from onboard personnel.
Robbins was pronounced dead on the scene due to blunt force injuries. The San Diego Medical Examiner’s Office ruled his death accidental.
The accident delayed Sprinter train service in the area for nearly seven hours, according to service alerts from the North County Transit District. Passengers were encouraged to take Breeze bus shuttles between the Escondido Transit Center and Nordahl Road Sprinter Station during the delay.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Rail Enforcement Unit is investigating the crash.
UPDATE: The Sheriff’s Rail Enforcement Unit subsequently reported that surveillance video of the incident showed that Robbins’ vehicle was struck by the train approximately two seconds after driving through the crossing gate, almost immediately after Robbins’ vehicle came to a stop on the tracks. Just before the train collided with the vehicle, the investigator noted that the truck’s red, illuminated taillights had turned off, suggesting the driver attempted to accelerate off the tracks to avoid a collision. “Based on the video evidence and witness statements, it appears the incident was accidental,” the report states.
