Texas train crash claims life of former Carlsbad resident

By Donald Bard

The Monahans News

MONAHANS, Texas ? The call came in at 9:37 a.m. last Saturday morning from EMS for the Monahans Fire Department to respond to a major accident on Union Pacific Railroad tracks about 2 miles east of Monahans on Business 20.

EMS responders had been told there was a train wreck but had passed the location, the unprotected crossing close to the east interchange with I-20 and Business 20. After being flagged down, the EMS learned the vehicle was on the other side of the "now stopped" train.

According to the preliminary results of DPS lead investigator Corporal Marc Fuentes, 26-year-old Jamie Richards, a former Carlsbad resident, had gotten off work at the H&P rig, which is located north of the tracks. He had driven into town to get something to eat and was apparently returning to the rig.

What happened next remains speculation at best. Richards' girlfriend had reportedly spoken to him just before the accident and told the investigating officer Richards was very tired. The train crew reported Richards' 2000 Ford Mustang was stopped on or very close to the tracks, and he did not respond to the whistle as the train approached the crossing from the west. It was also noted the Mustang was equipped with a very large sound system.

The train hit the car, pushed it off the tracks to the north at the crossing, where it ended up approximately 130 feet past the crossing, after being slowed by the sand. When the train crew got to the

vehicle, it was apparent Richards had been killed, and the crew covered the body with the hood of the Mustang.

The investigation will remain open until final results from an autopsy have been received and all information is reviewed.

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