OXNARD : Truck Carrying Cars Collides With Train

There were no injuries, but three new Jaguar automobiles were damaged when a train collided with an auto transport trailer on Hueneme Road in Oxnard on Wednesday afternoon, tying up rush-hour traffic for more than an hour, police said.

The accident occurred at 5:05 p.m. when John Henry Romines of La Mirada, at the wheel of a truck loaded with 12 new Jaguars and only a block from his destination, tried to cross the railroad tracks on Hueneme Road between Saviers Road and Arcturus Avenue, Oxnard Police Officer Billy Tatum said.

Romines told police that the crossing arms and signals were not working as he approached the tracks, and that he didn’t see the oncoming train, Tatum said.

The train was traveling about 15 m.p.h. and conductor Ron Baker of Oxnard tried to bring his engine and empty boxcar to a stop when he saw the truck, but the rain made the tracks too slippery for the brakes, Tatum said.

The impact knocked the train engine off the tracks, although it did not overturn, Tatum said. Traffic on Hueneme Road was held up for more than an hour as the train and cars were cleared from the area.

Romines and Baker were unhurt. Three Jaguars, the transport trailer and the train engine sustained moderate damage, Tatum said.