Sergio Rodriguez, a Milby High School student, was tragically struck and killed by a train while attempting to cross the railroad tracks near his school. His death has reignited long-standing concerns about the safety of students navigating these hazardous crossings.
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Community outrage and call to action
Dr. Sergio Lira, Ed.D, a retired Houston Independent School District (HISD) educator and current president of a local LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) chapter, is among many community members speaking out. Dr. Lira, who worked within HISD for over 20 years as a teacher, administrator, and principal, expressed frustration and anger over the preventable nature of this tragedy.
“My initial thought was anger,” Dr. Lira said. “I addressed this issue three or four years ago directly with Union Pacific. I’m so mad that it takes the death of a child to bring attention to an issue that is solvable and easy to fix.”
Advocacy for student safety
Dr. Lira recounted how, during his tenure at Chavez High School, he implemented policies to address students’ struggles with train delays. One such measure allowed students who lived near the tracks and were consistently late due to train stoppages to adjust their schedules by beginning their day with a second-period class. He also enforced a strict policy that no tardies could be given on mornings when a train passed the tracks near the school. Despite these efforts, Dr. Lira was acutely aware of the dangers posed by stalled trains.
In 2021, after witnessing a video of students crawling underneath a stationary train to get to school, he reached out to Union Pacific, urging immediate action.
ONGOING ISSUE: Dangerous railroad tracks in SE Houston where student was killed by train have always been a problem
Union Pacific responds, but concerns persist
Dr. Lira’s letter requested that trains not operate near schools during dismissal times, that a pedestrian bridge be added near the train tracks, and that trains not stall near schools, but he said the response he received from the company was dismissive.
“Their senior PR specialist told me they’d look into it and collaborate with the school district to resolve the issue,” Dr. Lira said. “That never happened.”
Impact on Nearby Schools and Students
Sergio’s death has highlighted the systemic nature of the problem. Daniel Saenz, vice president of LULAC Council 60, pointed out that the issue affects not just HISD students but also those at nearby charter schools such as KIPP, YES Prep, and IDEA Public Schools.
“There are a plethora of charter schools near these lines,” Saenz said. “Students from multiple districts and schools are impacted by these dangerous crossings.”
Town Hall to address concerns
To address these concerns, LULAC Council 60 is hosting a town hall at the HCC Eastside campus on Saturday, December 14. The event, scheduled for 10 a.m., will bring together educators, parents, and community leaders to discuss solutions and demand accountability. Union Pacific representatives will also be attending.
Hope for lasting change
Saenz says he hopes that anyone concerned about the safety of HISD students during their school commutes should attend.
“Hopefully we can get to some space of understanding where we are right now” Saenz said. “I know Union Pacific has been working with few of our politicians or elected officials, so the hope is that maybe there’s already something being done. We just don’t know what it is.”
Sergio Rodriguez’s tragic death is a painful reminder of the urgent need for improved safety measures around railroad crossings. Community leaders hope the renewed focus will lead to lasting change, ensuring the safety of all students who must cross these tracks daily. The public is encouraged to attend the town hall and contribute to the conversation.
