2 Lodi Men Killed in Collision with Train

CHP says vehicle sped through active railroad crossing arms in San Joaquin County

Mar. 22, 2026 at 4:51am

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Two men from Lodi, California died after their vehicle sped through active railroad crossing arms and was struck by an oncoming BNSF train in San Joaquin County on Saturday evening. The collision caused the truck to catch fire, killing the 29-year-old driver and 37-year-old passenger.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the importance of obeying railroad crossing signals and the need for increased safety measures at rural railroad crossings to prevent similar fatal collisions in the future.

The details

According to the California Highway Patrol, the collision occurred around 7:15 p.m. on W. Armstrong Road when the driver of a 2007 GMC pickup sped up and drove through the active railroad crossing arms, leading to the vehicle being struck by an oncoming BNSF train. The impact caused the truck to catch fire, resulting in the deaths of both the driver and passenger.

  • The collision happened around 7:15 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2026.

The players

BNSF

A major freight railroad network operating in the western United States.

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The takeaway

This tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of obeying railroad crossing signals and the need for increased safety measures at rural railroad crossings to prevent similar fatal collisions in the future. The loss of two lives is a devastating outcome that underscores the critical role drivers play in railroad crossing safety.