LATHROP – A Stockton man driving a white Nissan pickup was killed Monday after being struck by an Altamont Commuter Express train.
San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the incident that occurred at about 4:40 a.m. at a railroad crossing at East Roth Road near South McKinley Avenue.

Killed in the accident was Jeffrey Donald Walters, 48, of Stockton.

The commuter train consisting of five cars and a locomotive was traveling southbound from Stockton en route to San Jose at an estimated speed of 72 miles per hour when it struck the vehicle going eastbound on Roth.

The crossing arms along with train’s emergency brake were reportedly functioning properly during the time of the collision, according to Thomas Reeves, spokesman for the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission.

The train, however, was unable to stop in time, pushing the vehicle nearly about a half-mile down the track before coming to a halt.
None of the 41 riders aboard were injured.

“They were escorted by bus to their destination,” Reeves added.

He indicated that clean up took over three hours. But the ACE train was back in operation, servicing those commuting home later that day.