HOUSTON, Texas – A Houston Independent School District student has died Monday after being hit by a train in southeast Houston.
The incident happened at 2000 Broadway Street near Galveston Road around 7:35 a.m.
Investigators are en route to a fatal crash involving a train and a pedestrian at 2000 Broadway St. near Galveston Rd. about 7:35 am.
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) December 9, 2024
The pedestrian has been pronounced deceased. Please avoid the area and use alternate routes.#houtraffic #hounews
The details surrounding the accident have not yet been released, but the Houston Police Department said the 10th-grade Milby High School student died from their injuries. The teenager’s identity has not yet been released.
Residents who live in the area told KPRC 2 that they believe the train tracks are dangerous, and they see students crossing them all of the time.
“I live at the second house over, and yes, the kids are always crossing the train. When it stops, kids are always crossing,” the resident said.
Police said the train was in motion, traveling at a slow speed, when the teen was hit and killed. They also added that the railroad crossing lights and arms were all working properly.
KPRC 2 has since reached out to HISD to see if any safety precautions have been added to help students get safely across train tracks. As of Monday afternoon, we have not heard back.
Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia issued a statement regarding the incident:
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of a student near Milby High School this morning. My heart goes out to the family, friends, and community as they grieve this devastating loss. Please keep them in your prayers.
“I am closely monitoring the situation and have been in contact with Mayor Whitmire and officials at the local, state, and federal levels, including the Federal Railroad Administration. “I am calling for a full investigation to understand what led to this tragedy and to identify ways to enhance safety in our communities.
“As always, I urge everyone to prioritize safety and stay vigilant near railways and crossings.”
Commissioner Adrian Garcia also released a statement:
“We are grieving the death of a young man in Precinct 2– a Milby High School student whose death this morning was related to one of the many train lines in Houston’s East End. As Commissioner for Precinct 2, I am all too familiar with the dangers associated with these train tracks, which fuel the regional economy but too often put the health and safety of East End residents at risk. That is why I have prioritized partnering with the City and federal government to build new grade separations to create a safer environment. It is critical that all partners, including METRO, make the investments necessary to, as much as possible, reduce the burden East End residents bear in holding up our region.”
Drivers are asked to avoid the area and use alternate routes while authorities work to clear the scene.