Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Suicide at D Street

10 News
An apparently suicidal man laid down on the railroad tracks near the Encinitas Transit Station and was fatally struck by an oncoming train, authorities said today.

A northbound Pacific Sun freight train struck the victim on the tracks running across East D Street shortly before midnight, sheriff's Deputy Marcus Levine said. The name of the person killed was not immediately available.

The engineer told authorities a man stepped out in front of the train and laid on the tracks, ignoring the locomotive's warning horn. The train was traveling at about 48 miles per hour. The man died at the scene, Levine said.

63 comments:

  1. Ahhhhh, there's no reason to lower these tracks, too expensive anyway!! For those of you that don't understand sarcasm, that was sarcasm.

    ReplyDelete
  2. YES on Rail Trail says that's why we need a fence all along the track!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very classy.

      Maybe we should keep this story about the poor soul who lost his life for 24 hours.

      Delete
    2. Was he another gang stalking victim taking his own life? Go to Fightgangstalking.com and expose these criminals.

      Delete
  3. Right, fences on both sides of trenched tracks plus plenty of bike/ped crossing ramps.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your suggestion will not stop suicides on these railroad tracks we own.

      Delete
    2. Oh, really? How many suicides on the tracks in Solana Beach since they trenched, fenced and provided crossings in 1995?

      Encinitas averages one death by train per year. Some are suicides, some are accidents.

      Delete
    3. Someone intent on suicide could go down into the trench, or could cross over a fence.

      Sad to hear of these suicides. Solana Beach has a much smaller population than Encinitas. Also, someone from Solana Beach could come here to end his life, and would then be counted with our numbers.

      Most of the deaths by train are suicides, or the result of very reckless behavior.

      Sad for the poor soul who took his life.

      Delete
  4. Kranz supports and voted as our NCTD representative for the fence along the track!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kranz is not our NCTD representative. He changed his vote on the fence.

      Council Member Lisa Schaffer is our NCTD representative and she still voted for fences and keeping people from crossing these railroad track property owned by the citizens of San Diego County.

      Shaffer also wants it to be a misdemeanor to cross the tracks against Muir's suggestion it be like illegally crossing any road - jaywalking was Muir's recommendation to council.

      Delete
    2. Kranz is NCTD rep, Shaffer is SANDAG rep.

      Muir wants crossing the tracks to be an infraction.

      Delete
    3. Muir wants crossing the tracks to be an infraction, even when it's a drunk crossing unsafely, feet in front of the train to impress his drunk friends, and causing an emergency brake stop, as I have personally seen happen.

      The fact is, Muir didn't think this through and showed up completely unprepared for his own agenda item. Catherine made a fool of him by quoting public news articles containing pertinent information that he didn't bother to look up. Muir's only prep, by his own admission, was a meeting he had with a kid.

      It was embarrassing.

      Everyone should go watch it, Seriously. It's on the city site.

      Delete
    4. I agree with Mark Muir on this issue. Catherine Blakespear did not make a fool of him. There could be a difference between an infraction for illegally crossing the tracks, and a higher fine/penalty for actually causing a train to make an emergency stop.

      Delete
    5. Kranz is not our NCTD rep, Shaffer is - go the the http://www.gonctd.com/board-of-directors

      Delete
    6. 12:59,

      Please go watch the agenda item, because Muir's proposal did not allow any discression for Sheriffs to issue a misdemeanor for unsafe crossings. In fact, having that discression is the status quo.

      "Until this month trespassing on the tracks was a misdemeanor, but the transit district recently found a government code allowing tickets to be written as infractions — more akin to a traffic ticket.

      'We are not here to try to ruin people,' said Sheriff’s Sgt. Jason King, who runs the unit of deputies assigned to work with transit district. 'We are here to just try to change your attitude about being on the tracks.'

      King said deputies will still issue the misdemeanor tickets when the circumstances call for it."

      http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/aug/20/nctd-increased-enforcement-trespassing-train/

      Either you agree with Muir, or you agree with the Sheriffs that unsafe crossings can be charged as a misdemeanor. The two are mutually exclusive.

      Delete
    7. My vote is with Muir on this one. Make it a jaywalking ticket. Just because NCTD and SanDag have not invested in the infrastructure to trench and cover these railroad tracks we own does not make it right for them to ticket people with a misdemeanor for NCTD and SanDag mistakes.

      Delete
    8. 8:00 is one vote for letting drunks who play chicken with trains causing emergency stops off with jay-walking tickets.

      At least you own it. Good for you.

      Delete
    9. 6:36 AM

      I went to the NCTD website. Tony has his picture along with the other board members. Lisa is listed under alternates. You do understand what alternate means, don't you? Lisa is the primary Encinitas representative on the SANDAG board.

      Delete
  5. Just another reason to trench and cover our public;yu owned railroad. Making it safer for everyone and providing a parkway over the railroad connecting our community instead of being an obstacle seperating us in an unsafe way!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think if someone wants to get hit by a train, they will find a way to get hit by a train. Although it could be underground in sections of Encinitas, the train will have to daylight. The places where it will daylight is the same place where this and other suicides have occurred.

      So no... this isn't a reason. Far from it. Don't let tragedy be cause for your own interests.

      Delete
    2. Nobody wants the train underground. Dead people are underground in cemeteries, dogs bury bones underground. Trains are in trenches or tunnels.

      Delete
    3. I want the train underground in a trench with a cover over it.

      Delete
    4. Sounds like a tunnel.

      Delete
    5. 9:24,

      What does this sign mean?


      Delete
    6. It means there's a tunnel under London.

      Delete
    7. You have too much time on your hands. Go volunteer or something.

      Delete
    8. 11:45 PM

      It's called a subway on this side of the Atlantic. Trains are electric, remember the third rail.? Trains through Encinitas are diesel which require added ventilation.

      Delete
    9. 9:47 Right, which is why an open trench is a much better idea than a covered trench. Most people would call a covered trench a tunnel. It would have to be vented. And a tunnel would let new real estate be created. Then Meyer would lobby to build condos and stores on the new real estate.

      It's all been thought through. That's why a trench is the bottom line suggestion.

      Delete
    10. An open trench is not a better solution as it still creates the problems of access across the tracks for pedestrians and cars.

      Of course some of the trench will be uncovered for ventilation. And besides a parkway some of it will be much needed parking for business and residents.

      And yes... some can be developed for business and residential. This public property is a gold mine and some development will help pay for the costs of doing it right!

      Delete
  6. Fences will not stop people from committing suicide on these tracks.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I knew someone who laid it down right behind Encinitas Surfboards. He had a job and a bit of bad luck, nothing horrible, just drugs... jail time, but he got a second chance, however, when I heard the news, it was no surprise. There is nothing anyone can do.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Whoa stay classy Encinitas. As penance for such comments this poor guys name better end up on any fence.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Besides trench and covering as the best long term solution for Encinitas which will be the only significant way to reduce suicides on the tracks.

    A short term solution would be to drastically reduce the speed of the trains traversing this heavily used at grade publicly owned property.

    Have the trains reduce speed to 25mph so they can stop in time of cars or people on the tracks in front of them!

    ReplyDelete
  10. The sad truth is, fences and trenching would not have saved this person. Do we really think that if he arrived to find a trench, he'd suddenly realize that life is precious? Or is it more likely he'd just find another way, like the guy that drive off the bluff last week?

    The way to address suicide is not to spend billions of dollars trying to make the world into a padded room and take away all our shoe laces. The investment needs to be made in better mental health services.

    The only lives that would be saved by changing infrastructure are the accidents like the former mayor of Del Mar. But this is a much smaller number of casualties, and the cost/benefit is questionable for trenching. Like it or not, until we get more pedestrian crossings like Swami's, high-profile ticketing is probably the cheapest and most effective way to reduce the accidents.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The overall benefits of trenching are enormous, as Alameda, Reno and Solana Beach have learned, and Carlsbad will show when their study is complete.

      That trenching's benefits are huge is not even a question.

      Delete
  11. Replies
    1. That's easy. SANDAG will spend $6.5 billion in the North Coast transportation corridor by 2040. Only $820 million of that is for rails. Switch as much of the $6.5 billion as is needed to lower the tracks through the corridor.

      What's lacking is courage, leadership, good stewardship and good sense. SANDAG wants roads cause they bring more development and more population than rails do.

      Delete
    2. Courage and leadership ... something desperately needed yet lacking on NCTD/SANDAG and our City Council!

      Delete
    3. Not that there is any competition for that money. You'd have a better chance trying to use that money adding more pedestrian undercrossings which would be a whole lot cheaper.

      Try convincing SANDAG (meaning the SANDAG board which is made up of local officials) that it needs to spend millions of dollars in Cardiff so that they can walk directly to the beach.

      Delete
    4. The whole North Coast rail corridor, not just Cardiff. SANDAG board is voting representatives from 18 cities and the county. There are 100 votes, assigned according to population. Encinitas has two.

      Ped undercrossings don't solve every rail corridor problem. Lowering the tracks does.

      Do your homework and know what you're talking about. Uninformed opinions are worthless.

      Delete
    5. 5:50 PM

      "Do your homework and know what you're talking about. Uninformed opinions are worthless."

      I've been following this for years and done plenty of research. I don't agree that uniformed opinions are worthless but that they don't have as much weight. You just don't know what you're talking about. There is no way that the tracks will be trenched all the way through Encinitas. There is very little reason to do it in Cardiff if pedestrian crossings are provided. Trenching through downtown would be a nightmare and cost many millions of dollars. The only hope is to trench the tracks under Leucadia Blvd north to La Costa which is listed on the SANDAG regional transportation plan for sometime in the twenty-twenties timeframe.

      Delete
    6. 10:59

      You're so ignorant, you don't know you're ignorant.

      It's pointless to demonstrate your ignorance to you because you don't recognize it.

      My uninformed opinion: The moon is made of cream cheese. Don't argue with my opinion!

      Delete
    7. 1:31 PM

      As I said, you have no idea what you're talking about but I see you're very proud of that.

      Delete
    8. Add up the money for a dozen needed pedestrian undercrossings (10-15 million each) and you can have a trench and cover instead.

      Short term limited thinking of too many people will just continue the problems we already have.

      Delete
    9. 8:38 PM

      The Santa Fe undercrossing was just a little over $5M. Nice try.

      Delete
    10. Trenching up in Palo Alto will cost over a Billion.

      Delete
  12. Well another beautiful day to be working outdoors but does the city of Encinitas get any street lines painted on Santa Fe Dr???? Noooooooooooooo!!! I guess they are waiting for a head on crash for which they will be responsible....it comes down to this, a failed city council and a failed city staff= fail.

    ReplyDelete
  13. 6:59pm. You have your roadway finally fixed and no more potholes that you have been railing about endlessly here and you are still bitching. Same bs, same know what.

    There are many shortcomings at the city, of that we agree wholeheartedly.

    As we are coming out of the Labor Day weekend, a little patience might be called for, especially after all the whining posts you have allowed us to have been a part of, about your section of the potholed roadway that is finally smooth again, for the time being.

    You are far from alone and are not the Lone Ranger. Many of us have our own degraded roads we have to deal with every day. Congrats on yours being fixed. Enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Are you a failed council person or a failed city staff member, making excuses for your failed city?? Since you deride me for pointing out flaws onSante are let me expose you to another, why has the city FAILED to provide sidewalks on the south side of Santa Fe between MaKinnon and the I-5?? Aren't those homes and residents worthy of a sidewalk?? Do they need to walk through mud and dirt forever?? Apparently so. Another FAIL on the part of YOUR council and staff. You own them, enjoy.

      Delete
    2. 7:45 - I'm surprised you didn't approach this issue as one of greed and corruption. After all, it is clear to me that 7-11 and El Napolito has the council in their back pocket - why else would the city build a sidewalk that allows a clear and safe path for the student of SDHS to get their lunch and after school snacks? Sell more slurpees and burritos, of course!!

      - The Sculpin

      Delete
    3. In the pocket of Big Taco?

      Delete
    4. 11:41 AM

      I thought it was to the pizza place and Carl's Jr. but would can blame them if they're going for El Nopalito's tortilla chips.

      Delete
    5. 2:08 PM

      I meant "who can blame them".

      Delete
  14. Freaking engineering department is a disaster .

    The director is a complete moron and needs to be fired !!

    They can't get the simplest projects done. More or less any project with any type of complex issue .

    Fire the director and half of the managers that Have been there forever and Are totally ineffective .

    ReplyDelete
  15. The City Engineers are a fricken sad joke and the director needs to be fired.

    They can not deliver any projects and when they have to use any judgement, its completely flawed. I give them an F.

    Clean up City Hall. Clean out Engineering and especially its Director.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I see the city will remove the ficus trees in spite of protests. After 50 years, they are suddenly a problem? Sounds like it is a guaranteed job for someone. Pave over everything - represents the mentality of the city.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Of course they will proceed. The "neutral" tree contractor's income depends on it.

      Delete
    2. 7:42 AM Your inability to understand these trees have been a great deal of trouble for a long time says more about you than the city; trollette.

      Delete
    3. We all understand all too well. The trees stand in the way of mega construction planned under Measure T. Reduced setbacksand other diminished design standards mean the tres must go in favor of maximizing profits so the projects can pencil out...and then some.

      Typical city+developers counting their revenue before it materializes.

      You are the troll, 7:38.

      Delete
    4. 9:16 illustrates so beautiful the power of conspiracy theories. You take two mutually independent events and tie them together for no other reason than plausibility.
      A tip of the hat to you sir/madam!

      - The Sculpin

      Delete
    5. 7:42 AM

      It's often when trees mature that they become a problem. People sometimes plant trees because they like the way it looks or appreciate an aspect like drought tolerance without analyzing where to place it for other than aesthetic reasons. I've had to reluctantly remove several trees because the prior owner planted them in the wrong spot.

      9:44 AM

      That should be a "tip of the tin foil hat".

      Delete
  17. 9:16 The ficus trees are on Second and Third streets.

    Measure T doesn't apply to Second and Third Streets.

    Do your homework so you don't show your ignorance.

    ReplyDelete