[1][2] At the Rice Avenue at-grade crossing, where this collision occurred, emergency crews had previously pulled vehicles off the tracks about 18 times.

[3] A bridge to allow Rice Avenue to pass over the tracks had been planned for almost two decades, however, funding remained unavailable in Ventura County for the estimated $35 million grade separation project.

[4] On Tuesday, February 24, 2015, in the predawn hours, Metrolink commuter train #102, operated by Amtrak, was en route from Ventura County, California to Los Angeles.

As the train approached the South Rice Avenue grade crossing in Oxnard at 5:44 a.m. local time (13:44 UTC), it collided with a 2005 Ford F-450 pick-up truck that was towing a 2000 Wells Cargo two-axle utility trailer.

At some point before the arrival of the train, he exited the truck, leaving the headlights and hazard lights on and the driver door open.

Based on an analysis of GPS data obtained from the driver’s cell phone, about 12 minutes elapsed between the time the truck became lodged on the tracks and the collision with the train.

[8] After striking the truck and trailer, the train continued through the grade crossing, where all four-passenger cars subsequently derailed, and three rolled over on their sides.

Debris from the collision caused minor damage to a 1998 Toyota Camry, which was stopped at the grade crossing, facing north, at the time of the crash.

[9][13] The NTSB determined that the probable cause of the crash was the truck driver mistakenly turning onto the railroad right-of-way due to acute fatigue and unfamiliarity with the area.

However, Sanchez-Ramirez experienced a 4.5-hour delay in Jacumba, California due to a damaged radiator, which necessitated that he obtain a replacement truck.

[5][15] Immediately following the derailment, service was suspended through the accident site, and Metrolink passengers were bussed between Camarillo, Oxnard, and East Ventura stations.

According to his attorney, the man was trying to summon help in a remote part of the county without a vehicle and with no guarantee anyone he found would be able to communicate with him since he only speaks Spanish.

[24] He was booked on suspicion of hit and run and held on $150,000 bail, but prosecutors later declined to file criminal charges against him and he was released two days later.

[34] This article incorporates public domain material from Highway Accident Brief: Train and Truck Crash on Railroad Right-of-Way and Subsequent Fire (PDF).