Six People, Including Jose G. Hernandez and Alyssa Hernandez, Killed in Tragic Train-SUV Crash

Six people, including a 9-year-old child, tragically lost their lives in a collision between an SUV and a freight train in Plant City, Florida. The incident occurred on Sunday evening when a Cadillac Escalade carrying a family and their friend was struck by the train traveling at 55 mph.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, the family was en route to a quinceañera when the crash took place. Disturbing video footage obtained from the scene shows the SUV slowly crossing the railroad tracks without coming to a stop. Despite attempts by the train conductor to signal with a horn, there was no way to slow down in time.

Sheriff Chad Chronister described the aftermath of this devastating collision as catastrophic: "The SUV, we can see from the video begins to catapult and flip violently several times before it’s landed." As a result of this violent impact, six individuals were ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger suffered critical injuries and is currently receiving treatment at Lakeland Regional Health.

The victims have been identified as Jose G. Hernandez (52), Enedelia Hernandez (51), Jakub A. Lopez (17), Alyssa Hernandez (17), Anaelia Hernandez (22), and Julian Hernandez (9). Guillermo E. Gama III (23) survived but remains in critical condition.

Fortunately, no one aboard the train sustained any injuries during this horrific accident. However, it should be noted that although there was only a stop sign present at this particular railway crossing without any crossing arms or warning devices installed due to it being a privately maintained road, rail safety expert Michael Callanan emphasized that the road was not intended for public traffic.

The road where the accident occurred is a privately maintained access road to a home. As it is not a public thoroughfare road, it is not required to have warning devices like you would find on publicly accessible roads.

The collision between the freight train and the SUV has left this community in shock and mourning as they come to terms with such an unimaginable loss of life.

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