Grand Jury Meets For Second Time To Investigate Midland Train Tragedy
By: Dylan Brooks
Updated: February 7, 2013
MIDLAND -- A Midland County grand jury is close to issuing its report on the Midland train tragedy.
The grand jury met for the second time on February 6th.
The grand jury listened to presentations from Midland City Attorney Keith Stretcher, Midland Mayor Wes Perry and Midland County Judge Mike Bradford.
Four military veterans were killed -- and 17 other people were injured -- when a Union Pacific freight train plowed into a Smith Industries flatbed trailer near the intersection of West Front Street and South Garfield Street on November 15th.
The flatbed trailer was carrying 12 military veterans, their 12 wives and 2 escorts from downtown Midland to a banquet at the Midland County Horseshoe Arena when tragedy struck.
The National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating the crash.
Meanwhile, the City of Midland has determined that the Show of Support Parade that the flatbed trailer was involved in operated without a permit.
Now, the Midland City Council is looking to beef up their parade permit ordinances
Several victims -- and the families of deceased victims -- have filed or joined in various civil suits against Union Pacific Railroad and Smith Industries.
The grand jury initially met on January 9th, and jurors decided not to file criminal charges against Dale Wayne Hayden.
Hayden, 50, was driving the flatbed trailer that was struck by the train.
The grand jury will meet again on March 6th.
The grand jury will also be issuing a report in the near future.
The grand jury met for the second time on February 6th.
The grand jury listened to presentations from Midland City Attorney Keith Stretcher, Midland Mayor Wes Perry and Midland County Judge Mike Bradford.
Four military veterans were killed -- and 17 other people were injured -- when a Union Pacific freight train plowed into a Smith Industries flatbed trailer near the intersection of West Front Street and South Garfield Street on November 15th.
The flatbed trailer was carrying 12 military veterans, their 12 wives and 2 escorts from downtown Midland to a banquet at the Midland County Horseshoe Arena when tragedy struck.
The National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating the crash.
Meanwhile, the City of Midland has determined that the Show of Support Parade that the flatbed trailer was involved in operated without a permit.
Now, the Midland City Council is looking to beef up their parade permit ordinances
Several victims -- and the families of deceased victims -- have filed or joined in various civil suits against Union Pacific Railroad and Smith Industries.
The grand jury initially met on January 9th, and jurors decided not to file criminal charges against Dale Wayne Hayden.
Hayden, 50, was driving the flatbed trailer that was struck by the train.
The grand jury will meet again on March 6th.
The grand jury will also be issuing a report in the near future.
