Mary Johnson Obituary, Death; – A woman tragically lost her life on Wednesday afternoon when a train collided with her SUV at the intersection of 65th South and South Yellowstone Highway, as reported by the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office.
The driver has been identified as 48-year-old Mary Johnson, a resident of Bonneville County, according to Bonneville County Coroner Rick Taylor.
The incident took place shortly after 5 p.m., prompting a response from deputies and the Idaho Falls Fire Department. Witnesses attempted to assist Johnson after her SUV was pushed off the tracks and down an embankment, as detailed in the release.
Witness accounts indicated that the vehicle was stationary on the tracks, positioned between the crossing arms. Approximately a quarter mile prior to the crossing, the Union Pacific train engaged its emergency braking system and sounded its horn, but was unable to halt in time to avoid the collision.
There were no other passengers in the vehicle, and the train operators reported no injuries. The crossing arms sustained damage, which Union Pacific personnel subsequently repaired and inspected before allowing the crossing to reopen for both train and vehicle traffic. The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and no additional information is currently available.
Deputies are urging both motorists and pedestrians to exercise caution around trains, railroad crossings, and tracks. It is essential to maintain a safe distance from the tracks behind lights, crossing arms, and painted stop lines to ensure clearance for approaching trains. Motorists should adhere to blinking red crossing lights by stopping and checking in both directions before proceeding, and should never attempt to drive around crossing arms, as emphasized in the release.
