One of the two victims killed when a Trinity Railway Express train collided with an SUV near Dallas Market Center has been identified.
The crash occurred around 9:25 a.m. on Wednesday at a rail crossing near Market Center Boulevard and Harry Hines Boulevard, close to the Medical Market TRE Station.
The Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office identified one victim as 50-year-old Melissa Rose Campanella. The second victim’s identity has not been released.
The ride-share service Lyft confirmed that one of its drivers and a passenger were killed in the incident. It is unclear whether Campanella was the driver or the passenger in the vehicle.
“Our hearts are with the loved ones of both the driver and the rider following this heartbreaking tragedy,” a Lyft spokesperson said, per WFAA. “We are working to get in touch with their families to offer support during this incredibly difficult time.”
The train struck the driver’s side of the SUV, pushing it approximately 150 yards along the tracks, officials said. The vehicle’s bumper was torn off and left near the intersection.
“The car was unrecognizable. You can barely tell it was a car,” said Damani Whitlock, an electrician working nearby who saw the wreckage shortly after the crash, WFAA reported.
A bent “Do Not Stop on Tracks” sign was found on the ground near the scene.
Whitlock, who has worked in the area for the past year, noted that there is frequent risky behavior at the crossing.
“I have seen people, even when the arms go down, try to get across the tracks by going around,” he said. “You can’t stop a train. The train is going to come regardless.”
No passengers on the train were injured, according to Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) officials.
Rail service was disrupted for about four and a half hours while crews cleared the tracks. The remains of the SUV were removed from the embankment using heavy equipment and loaded onto a tow truck.
DART Police and investigators remained at the scene for over six hours, marking and documenting evidence to determine the cause of the crash.
“Nothing is more important than your life,” Whitlock said, per WFAA. “So why rush, risk anything to get somewhere when you can just wait 30 seconds for a three-car train to pass?”
He added, “I pray for the families that are involved, anybody who’s involved.”
DART Police have not released details on the circumstances leading to the collision, stating only that the investigation is ongoing.