Sobering video of the July 5, 2009 accident that killed 5 teenagers in Canton, MI. Anyone thinking of trying to beat a train to a level crossing should see this video.

http://www.freep.com/article/20090827/N ... ideo-shows

I feel bad for the families, but the crew in the cab will see this the rest of their days. I've seen my Dad sick for weeks after hitting someone. You just can't fix stupid!

Stupidity should not be punished by death.

No one said stupid. It was a reckless driver without regard for the rules of the road and the safety of others. It is unfortunate that his passengers were also victims.

From the newspaper web-pages about this incident is a link to a column written by Rochelle Riley a columnist for the Detroit Free Press. This is an interesting account of a reckless driver who had no concerns:
Opportunities missed to stop driver in car-train crash

More likely earning its reward, but not necessarily in proportion. Having read the articles, it seems as if a cascade of opportunities to prevent the possibility of such an incident were not taken advantage of - some bureaucratic failures, but more to the point personal lack of intervention. There's a lot of stupidity to go around, but it is in infinite supply so no need to worry about a shortage.

Anybody doubting the conceptual value of Darwin's perceptions of the actions of the evolving universe will find many such illustrations to prove himself wrong.

dave

One moment of indiscretion has destroyed five young lives and their families and forever will follow the train crew especially the engine crew. My thoughts are with them all.

Mr. Ed

On thing is sure, Daniel's family will lose every single thing that they own once the civil suits are finished.

> Stupidity should not be punished by death.

I respectfully disagree. Stupidity is often rewarded with death. It may be that one's purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others.

Mike MacLean
Director, Steam Operations
New Hope Valley Railway

First, stupidity should not warrant a death sentence. One who is stupid does not by definition know any better. But this incident was never about stupidity. For over three years the driver of this vehicle flaunted the laws and regulations of his state. He continued to drive even when his license was suspended. This is not stupidity as in I didn't know it meant I could not drive. This is arrogance as in I know what the law says but I don't care, it shouldn't apply to me. Likewise the courts and law enforcement officials knew or should have known the law and should have acted appropriately on it. By the very position and authority of their jobs they cannot plead ignorance or stupidity as a defense. Mr. Ed, I understand your sentiments, but this was not one moment of indiscretion. It was rather the final moment in a long chain of indiscretions committed by this driver. With a record stretching back three years it is inconceivable to me that anyone who knew the driver was unaware of his driving record, yet they gave him the keys to a car. Again, that is not stupidity, it was Russian roulette and this time there was a bullet in the chamber.

The victims were young, and youngsters make rash decisions unless they are trained not to or to understand how to think critically when they drive.

All of you with; youngsters, grand children, etc,..take this opportunity to have them watch this video, and explain to them how this could happen to anyone, even super-human teenagers like them.