West Texas police have decided not to file any charges against the driver of a parade float, carrying veterans, that was struck by a train, killing four ex-servicemen, according to the Los Angeles Times.
What’s perplexing to me is why the police department in Midland, Texas, decided not to take any action against Dale Andrew Hayden, even though it and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) never even interviewed him, according to The New York Times.
Hayden, himself a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, wasn’t questioned by officials even though the accident took place on Nov. 15.
The NTSB said that while Hayden had not declined to be interviewed, he also had failed to make himself available, The New York Times reported.
Midland police said that they have a report coming on the crash that may offer more insight as to why it isn’t charging Hayden, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Hayden was driving a flatbed truck carrying 12 veterans and their wives as part of a local celebration honoring the men for their military service. As the truck was crossing the tracks, it was hit broadside by the train. Safety officials have said that the crossing’s warning bells and lights were working when Hayden drove across the tracks.