(The Facts published the following story by Carlos Armintor on its website on October 14.)
ANGLETON, Texas — A 63-year-old Angleton man died after his motorcycle crashed into a stopped train late Sunday night at a railroad crossing in the 600 block of South Velasco Street.
Lowell Thorn, 63, was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Wayne Dubose. Thorn crashed his 1988 Harley-Davidson motorcycle into the train at 11:57 p.m. Sunday at the railroad crossing on South Velasco Street, which is also known as Highway 288-B, said Angleton Police Lt. Mike Jones.
Jones said flashing red lights at the crossing were working and that another car had already stopped when the accident occurred.
“We have no idea why,” Jones said. “The lights were flashing. There were lights overhead and to the side. The engine was right there with its lights on. There was another vehicle that was stopped waiting for the train to move.”
The train, which was en route from Brownsville to Houston carrying flammable liquids, had stopped at the crossing to pick up some more rail cars. Thorn hit a flat-bed car, which was the second of 17 cars on the train. The train was not damaged, said Mark Davis, a Union Pacific Railroad spokesman.
It is not known if speed played a role in the accident, and it might be hard to determine because of a lack of evidence, Jones said. The speed limit on the road is 45 mph. A witness told police Thorn appeared to be driving about the speed limit, Jones said.
“There were no skid marks at the scene that I saw,” Jones said. “With no skid marks, it will be difficult to determine a speed.”
An autopsy will be done to determine if alcohol played a role in the accident, Jones said.
Doyle Thorn, Lowell Thorn?s son, said he believed his dad was coming home from a motorcycle club meeting when the accident occurred. He described his dad as having a passion for motorcycle riding and hunting.
“He was a pretty lively guy for his age,” Thorn said. “Most people thought we were brothers.”
Thorn was an Angleton ISD retiree. He was the school district?s business manager and tax assessor from June 1984 to November 1993.
Scott McLean, the district?s executive director of operations, said Thorn was well liked. He said one employee from the district?s business office took Monday off to be with Thorn?s family.
“My experience with him was he was a good guy,” McLean said. “He treated people well.”