After a 15-year-old Milby High School student was killed by a train on his way to school, Union Pacific has taken immediate action by halting train activity near the campus during drop-off and pick-up times, as city leaders push for long-term safety solutions, including a $6.5 million pedestrian skywalk.
On the morning of December 9, Sergio Rodriguez, a 15-year-old student at Milby High School in southeast Houston, was struck and killed by a train while walking to school. According to the Houston Police Department, the train was moving slowly, and all safety features, including the railroad crossing lights and arms, were functioning correctly.
Following the incident, U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia released a statement expressing her condolences: “I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of a student near Milby High School this morning. My heart goes out to the family, friends, and community as they grieve this devastating loss. Please keep them in your prayers.”
She continued, “I am closely monitoring the situation and have been in contact with Mayor Whitmire and officials at the local, state, and federal levels, including the Federal Railroad Administration. I am calling for a full investigation to understand what led to this tragedy and to identify ways to enhance safety in our communities.”
During the investigation, Union Pacific provided context surrounding the incident, stating: “Union Pacific shares Houston’s grief following Monday’s heartbreaking event when a teenager made a tragic decision to try and outrun a moving train.”
A few days after Rodriguez’s death, Mayor John Whitmire emphasized his commitment to improving student safety, particularly for those who must cross railroad tracks. He announced plans to construct a pedestrian skywalk near Milby High School.
After consulting with Houston Public Works, Whitmire reported that the project would cost approximately $6.5 million. He assured the public that taxpayers would not bear the full financial burden, stating, “We’ll find the money, the city will come up with the money. We’ll work with Metro, the county, maybe a federal grant, and certainly, I will ask the CEO of Union Pacific to step up and do the right thing.”
In the days following the incident, Whitmire continued discussions with Union Pacific. Now, a week and a half after Rodriguez’s passing, the company has announced immediate operational changes. These include halting train activity near the crossing area by Milby High School during school drop-off and pick-up times as well as extending sidewalks to improve pedestrian safety.
In an official statement, Union Pacific said, “Union Pacific appreciated today’s meeting with Houston Mayor John Whitmire. We agreed to immediately adjust our operations to avoid running trains near Milby High School for one hour during school drop-off and pick-up times and extending the sidewalks to enhance the crossing, while we collaborate on long-term solutions and additional rail safety outreach efforts.”
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