Light rail claims first life

On Saturday, Sept. 25, in clear weather, Arnie Iverson, 87 years old, was driving south on Hiawatha Avenue. He turned right on 42nd Street, ran through the arm across the roadway, drove onto the tracks and was hit and killed by a northbound train.

Bob Gibbons, the Director of Customer Service for Metro Transit said they have made some very preliminary conclusions about the accident:

First, the safety equipment at the intersection was functioning properly.
Second, the train was operating at the correct speed. This has been designated a high-speed crossing where 55 mph is considered safe. According to their internal rules the train is not supposed to exceed 45 mph and it must slow to 40 mph at that intersection. The train was decelerating at the time of impact and was going 40 mph.

Third, the engineer operating the train acted correctly. He pulled the emergency brake. The train stopped in eight seconds after traveling 250 feet. He was given a drug and alcohol test and it proved negative.

Gibbons concluded, "It is still being investigated, but nothing we've learned so far will result in modifications as to how the railroad is operated."

Arni Iverson had probably turned from Hiawatha onto 42nd Street thousands of times. He never got used to there being a train crossing there.