Minor killed by UTA train while attempting to cross tracks in Sandy

Early on Monday morning, a minor was killed in Sandy by a Utah Transit Authority Blue Line train when two trains were simultaneously moving near the crossing at 8751 South. Photo: Sandy City Government.

SANDY, Utah — Early on Monday morning, a minor was killed in Sandy by a Utah Transit Authority Blue Line train when two trains were simultaneously moving near the crossing at 8751 South.

The minor was traveling westbound on their bike when they approached the crossing where the lights were on and the gate was down. After waiting for the northbound train to pass, the minor then lifted the gate arm to go underneath and rode into the path of an oncoming southbound train. The minor was killed by the impact.

“If you’re at a crossing and the gates remain down, the lights stay on, and the bells keep ringing, there’s a reason for that,” UTA spokesperson Carl Arky told Fox13 News. “It’s not uncommon for trains headed in opposite directions to get to that crossing at the same time, and quite often people will see the first train that clears the crossing and won’t see the second.”

Following the incident, UTA is reminding people to be patient at crossings and wait an additional 10-15 seconds in order to ensure all trains have cleared.