Parade where vets were killed had used route for 3 years

Associated Press

MIDLAND, Texas

Organizers of a parade in West Texas in which four U.S. military veterans were killed when a train plowed into a truck had been using the same route for three years, investigators said Sunday.

National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Mark Rosekind also announced that oil-field services company Smith Industries was the owner of the truck that served as the float the veterans were on during Thursday’s parade in Midland.

Rosekind said the company was cooperating with investigators, who expect to interview the driver today.

The NTSB declined to release the driver’s name, and Rosekind said investigators don’t know if the driver worked for Smith Industries.

Rick B. Smith, Smith Industries’ CEO and president, did not immediately respond to phone calls or emails seeking comment.

Investigators have said the truck began crossing the train tracks even though warning bells were sounding and lights were flashing.

However, some Midland residents said they believe the signal time is too short.

They say the guardrails aren’t completely down by the time a train comes whizzing by.