The Antelope Valley Times

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Alleged DUI driver collides with Metrolink train

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PALMDALE – A 51-year-old Littlerock man was hospitalized Wednesday night after crashing his pickup truck into a Metrolink train, authorities said.

Daniel Allen Dumas is believed to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision, which occurred around 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 24 at the railroad crossing at Barrel Springs Road in Palmdale , according to California Highway Patrol Officer Gil Hernandez.

Dumas was driving a silver 2001 Dodge pickup truck southbound on Sierra Highway at a high rate of speed as the train was approaching, Hernandez said.

“As he approached the railroad tracks, he locked up his brakes,” Hernandez said. “While braking, he actually collided into the back part of the Metrolink; he was unable to stop in time.”

Hernandez said the cross arms were down and the lights were flashing at the time of the crash. Dumas was injured in the collision and transported to Antelope Valley Hospital for treatment.

“Alcohol is suspected to be a factor of this traffic collision,” Hernandez said. “[Dumas] was placed under arrest, but based on his injuries, he was released to the hospital. A report will be submitted to the District Attorney at a later time.”

The pickup truck collided with Antelope Valley Line 226 to LA Union Station, according to Metrolink officials. The train was carrying 75 passengers at the time of the collision, and no one aboard the train was injured, according to Metrolink spokesperson Jeff Lustgarten.

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13 comments for "Alleged DUI driver collides with Metrolink train"

  1. DUI this, DUI that. Half these stats are skewed anyway. If you own a car and you drink, then you drink and drive whether it’s one day a month or every night so get off your pedestals.

  2. Alleged. As in not proved, or they don’t actually have evidence but it sounds good in the newspaper. You get people got that yet? Buy a dictionary.

  3. I have known Dan Dumas, since I was a little girl. He is one of the nicest people I know. He just has a “disease”. If someone had cancer, and hit a train everyone would feel sorry for them. So, I think you people who are calling him names are just being malicious and childish. So, for his families sake, please cut the guy some slack, and pray that he gets help.

    • Driving drunk and having cancer are like comparing apples and oranges. The man choose to drink then drive. It was a conscience decision. I have no sympathy for a person who recklessly endangers other people.

    • I know what Mandie is commenting on, the disease or illness of alcohol. It is a disease that is similar to cancer, it can and will kill you. There is no excuse to drive under the influence, but my heart goes out to those that suffer from this illness. It is cunning, baffling and powerful.

      • @ Mandie lions & douglas:

        You have got to kidding me here… You mean that you’re telling us that some boozed up alcoholic (alcohol suspected to be a contributing factor per CHP but confirmed by your post Mandie) climbs behind the wheel drunk, drives off down the road and soon after collides and bounces his truck into the side of a passenger train – and the defense/explanation is a casual ‘it’s okay, he’s a nice man who has a disease’ – Then you have the audacity to compare alcoholism to cancer via that ignorant analogy..?

        I agree to a lesser extent that alcoholism is a disease but it’s not on any level near cancer – Not even close. Quit trying to rationalize and justify his his irresponsible and reckless behavior by using ‘disease’ as a convenient and logical scapegoat. Whatever happened to personal accountability and actually pointing the blame at the idiot who’s responsible…? Perhaps just maybe at the hands of Dumas, where they belong? Or is that considered discrimination and a violation of the American’s With Disabilities Act since he has a ‘disease’ ..?
        We should pray for him…? He should pray that he lived to drink another day and that everyone on-board that train didn’t get wiped out or hurt. Cut him some slack for his families sake…? Maybe him smacking into a train was a wake up call for someone to man up, step in and intervene before he does wipe out a family – You’ve known him for a long time – Step up to the plate and show him the path to sobriety – He almost found it the other night – Via a shortcut on the Metrolink – Oh and in parting, and feel free to correct me, but I can’t recall any accident where someone suffering from cancer crashed and killed a family – So that disease can be crossed off your asinine list of why Mr. Dumas isn’t to blame for driving drunk.

    • If you are Cancer patient , would you seek treatment? If you have a “disease” you would seek treatment. If care for others then the ME come last. It does not look like it to me, that this guy care about anyone but himself.

  6. One lucky driver and passengers on the train. This could of been very bad for those involved. Very, Very lucky driver