​Fatal Train Collision in Dallas: Melissa Rose Campanella, 50, and One Person Dead After Vehicle Strikes TRE Train Near Harry Hines Blvd.

A tragic collision in Dallas has claimed the lives of two individuals after their vehicle was struck by a Trinity Railway Express (TRE) train. The incident occurred on Wednesday at approximately 9:25 a.m. near the busy corridor of Harry Hines Boulevard. According to Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), the vehicle collided with a westbound TRE train, leading to an immediate and significant emergency response. First responders from DART and local Dallas emergency services were dispatched to the scene, located near the downtown area. Upon arrival, they discovered the severely crushed vehicle in front of the stopped train. Tragically, the two occupants of the car were pronounced dead at the scene. DART officials confirmed that the families of the deceased have been notified of the devastating loss. As of late Wednesday morning, the train remained stopped on the tracks while crews surveyed the area and began a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the fatal crash.

Location and Infrastructure

The collision occurred at a railway crossing near Harry Hines Boulevard, a major north-south artery in Dallas known for its heavy commercial traffic and proximity to the Dallas Market Center and the Southwestern Medical District. The Trinity Railway Express line in this area runs through a dense urban environment, intersecting with numerous city streets. At-grade crossings, where roads and train tracks intersect at the same level, are common along this route. These intersections are typically equipped with traffic control and warning devices such as flashing lights, bells, and crossing gates designed to alert drivers to approaching trains. The area's high volume of both vehicle and rail traffic underscores the critical importance of these safety systems and driver vigilance. The investigation will likely examine the specific infrastructure at this crossing and the sequence of events leading up to the impact.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Following a fatal train collision in Texas, several legal and insurance considerations may arise for the families of the deceased. Such cases often involve an examination of negligence, which assesses whether any party failed to exercise reasonable care, contributing to the accident. Under the Texas Transportation Code, vehicle operators have a legal duty to yield the right-of-way to trains at a crossing. Wrongful death claims may be pursued to seek compensation for damages, which can include funeral and burial expenses, loss of future income, loss of companionship, and mental anguish. It is crucial to note that Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death lawsuit. However, when a government-affiliated entity like DART is involved, there are often much shorter notice requirements for filing a claim, sometimes as brief as 90 to 180 days.

Related Resources

• Dallas Police Department: https://dallaspolice.net/

• Dallas Fire-Rescue: https://dallasfirerescue.com/

• DART Safety and Security: https://www.dart.org/about/safety-security

• Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) - Rail Safety: https://www.txdot.gov/safety/driving-safety/railroad-safety.html

• Grief Support Services (The WARM Place, Fort Worth - serving the metroplex): https://www.thewarmplace.org/

• Texas Transportation Code - Rules of the Road: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.545.htm