Fixing the dangerous train issue: A decades old problem that turned fatal with the death of a Milby HS student

A day after a Milby High school student was hit and killed by a train as he walked to school, we're hearing from Houston ISD and government officials about what's being done to keep this from happening again.

Keeping students and residents safe from trains on Houston's East End has been talked about literally for decades, long before a Milby High School football player was hit and killed by a train Tuesday on his way to school.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 15-year-old Milby High School student dies after being hit by train

In fact, Houston recently received a $36.9-million grant to build railroad under and overpasses in the area, but at this point, no construction is underway. FOX 26 asked Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia about these dollars on Wednesday afternoon.

"All of these were just announced last session. I don't think they're in the works yet. These things take time," says Congresswoman Garcia. In frustration, she added, "For too long, nothing has happened. Nothing."

"This is a decades-long problem in Southeast Houston. I'm not going to speak to the specific conversations that have happened over the years, because this is a persistent and long-standing problem," says Alexandra Elizondo, Chief of Public Affairs for Houston ISD.

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Now that 15-year-old Milby High School student Sergio, identified on a GoFundMe page for his burial, has died after he was hit by a train, many people want to know when the problem will be fixed.

"We need the Federal Railroad Administration to do more, to hold train companies like Union Pacific accountable. We need Union Pacific to be more proactive in working with our communities," says Garcia.  

"The student in the incident yesterday (Tuesday) did not cross where the road crosses the tracks. He crossed further down at a grassy area. That would be an area HISD does not monitor...witnesses say he tripped," Elizondo explains.

Decades ago, Ann Gray was a Sophomore at Milby High School, and she says she was almost hit by a train while walking to Milby High way back in 1960.

"Right. I was just about to step on the railroad track and I caught that train out of the corner of my eye and I stepped back, and it went right past me, and it scared me. The train had been over there backing up and going forward and blowing the horn. So I just thought it was still there doing that, but it was moving this time, and I almost walked right in front of it. If they had done something a long time ago, he wouldn't have died. It's just really heartbreaking. It is. He won't have all those years and all those memories that I have. So, I just feel for his family and hope that it never happens again. (You feel this was 100% avoidable?) Yes, I do. They've had all these years. It's been 50 years or more, and they've never changed a thing," says Ann Gray, who's now 82-years-old.

Congresswoman Garcia, who has called for a complete investigation, says she invited the Union Pacific President to visit and tour the East End. That could possibly take place next Friday.

HISD says all parents have the option to request a bus if they believe their child's walk to school is unsafe, and the district says students should not feel pressured to cross in front of a train or a stopped train to avoid being tardy. Elizondo says if a student is late because of the train, the tardy will be waived.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire issued a statement regarding the incident saying, "This afternoon, I asked the City of Houston Planning Department and Houston Public Works to assess the feasibility and costs of constructing a skywalk to ensure the safety of students and pedestrians who need to cross the railroad tracks on Broadway, where a train hit and killed a Milby High School student on Monday. This preventable tragedy should never have occurred. I urge students to exercise caution and never attempt to outrun any train, even if it appears to be moving slowly. I assure you that I am committed to working with local, state, and federal leaders and the railroad to make this skywalk a reality. In addition, we must implement an education program led by the railroad, educators, parents, and civic clubs to promote safety."

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