A Texas family is grappling with a devastating loss after a 15-year-old boy had a horrific accident on his way to school. As Sergio Rodriguez walked to school in the early morning on December 9, he reportedly walked in front of a slow-moving train. Tragically, the train struck and killed the football player. It appears Sergio might have tried to outrun the train but instead sustained fatal injuries.
According to Fox 26, the accident occurred in East Houston on Broadway Street near Milby High School. Some told the station they worried something like this could happen.
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It appears Serigo tried to outrun the train.
Sergeant Bill Elsbury with the Houston Police Department said it appears the teenager thought he’d make it in time.
“The train was in motion as he tried to cross in front of the train. That’s the information that we’re getting from a couple of eyewitnesses here. We’re working with the Union Pacific Railroad Police. They’re getting us video footage from the train itself. So, we will take a look. It seems like this is just a tragic accident,” he said.
The railroad crossing operated properly.
Elsbury added that the first police officer on the scene had to wait for the arms to rise.
“Our first unit on scene was actually stopped for the railroad crossing itself. She was stopped here waiting for the train to cross. The arms did come down. They were functional. They came down. They stopped traffic. She just didn’t have a vantage point to actually see the accident occur,” he said.
The incident shocked witnesses.
A Milby High School sophomore named Veronica told Fox 26 the accident shocked her. “It feels so sad being there (at school) seeing a lot of teachers crying. I mean a boy just passed away in front of the school,” Veronica said. “I did know him since middle school. He was a sweet boy, stayed out of trouble. He was in football, was good at it.”
“I’ve had concerns that a child would get hurt for a long time, because it’s very dangerous,” a mom told Fox 26. “There should be a bridge for the safety of the kids,” another mom agreed.
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Loved ones created a GoFundMe for Sergio’s final expenses.
His sister, Cecilia Rodriguez, wrote on the fundraiser,
“This morning, we received the worst news ever, our little brother was struck by a train on the way to school (Milby High School). Sadly, he did not make it. Sergio was only 15 years old, leaving behind 4 siblings, and two parents that loved him deeply. He was so kind, smart, funny, full a life and a student dedicated to football. He was taken away from us too soon.”
The GoFundMe account has raised nearly $25,000 thus far.
“It’s terrible. I mean, anytime we lose a child or juvenile, I can’t imagine anything worse. It’s terrible,” Elsbury said.
