Walter Robbins dies in fatal Escondido train crash
Fatal Escondido train crash death of Walter Robbins – Obituary
Walter Robbins, an 86-year-old resident of San Marcos, lost his life on Tuesday afternoon when his pickup truck was struck by a Sprinter train in Escondido.
The incident occurred shortly after 1 p.m. when Robbins, driving a Toyota pickup west on West Mission Road, turned onto Enterprise Street. Authorities say he proceeded through a lowered automatic gate and came to a stop on the train tracks. Moments later, an eastbound Sprinter train collided with his vehicle.
Robbins was pronounced dead at the scene due to blunt force injuries. The San Diego Medical Examiner’s Office classified his death as an accident.
The crash caused significant delays in Sprinter service, suspending train operations in the area for nearly seven hours. The North County Transit District advised passengers to use Breeze bus shuttles between the Escondido Transit Center and Nordahl Road Sprinter Station during the disruption.
The San Diego Sheriff’s Rail Enforcement Unit has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities have stated they will not release additional details if an incident is suspected to be related to a mental health crisis, as part of a policy to discourage harmful behavior.
