Train Crash Victim Was Not Wearing a Seatbelt Say DPS

Kathryn Monica McLain-Murray, 22, from Miles, was traveling south on FM 1692 Friday afternoon at 5:10 p.m. in a white 2009 Chevrolet Silverado single cab pickup.

Texas Pacifico’s freight train was headed southwest nearing the railroad crossing at FM 1692.

The crossing is just north of US 67 on the way to Miles from San Angelo.

The four-engine train was loaded with 75-80 cars of frac sand and was traveling the speed limit or less, 25 mph, according to Texas Pacifico Spokeswoman Elizabeth Grindstaff.

According to DPS, McLain-Murray failed to yield the right-of-way to the train and struck the train in the right front area of the lead engine near the crew ladder. The Chevy’s right front end was the point of impact.

After the crash, the Chevy spun more than 360 degrees clockwise, coming to a rest just off the west side of FM 1629.

McLain-Murray was ejected from the vehicle during the crash and landed in a culvert area adjacent to the road. Witnesses at the scene said that both of her legs were broken, but she was able to talk while complaining of intense pain.

Landowners across the street from the crash rendered aid. Deborah Soslik, visiting family for Easter, but from Munday, Texas, and her husband crawled over the car hitch between two cars of the long train and found McLain-Murray in the culvert in severe pain, Soslik said. Soslik, a registered nurse practitioner was able to assess Murray’s injuries and try to stabilize her as much as possible until EMS arrived.

Responding to the 911 call was the Tom Green County Sherriff’s Deputy. According to Soslik, the deputy called for Shannon’s helicopter, Airmed1.

McLain-Murray was transported from the scene to Shannon Medical Center in care of Airmed1. She had sustained “incapacitating injuries” DPS said.

DPS reported that she works as a waitress. Soslik said McLain-Murray told her that she is also studying to become a nurse at ASU.

DPS report that McLain-Murray was not wearing a seatbelt.

DPS Trooper Alan Dykstra was the investigating officer. Also working the scene were the San Angelo Fire Dept., Quail Valley VFD, and the Tom Green County Sheriff's Dept.

This is the second train-passenger vehicle crash this month. The other train crash happened on the southwest side of San Angelo towards the Boy's Ranch on Apr. 7. Grindstaff said that the third recent crash in this area was in Oct. 2012 near Ballinger.