A tragic industrial accident in Nacogdoches, Texas, has claimed the life of a Union Pacific Railroad employee. Authorities have identified the victim as Robert Gardner, a 43-year-old man from Lufkin, Texas. The fatal incident occurred on the afternoon of Monday, June 9, 2025, near the railroad crossing at South Fredonia Street.
According to the Nacogdoches Police Department, officers were dispatched to the scene around 3:30 p.m. following a report that a pedestrian had been struck by a train. Upon arrival, first responders confirmed that Gardner had been killed in the incident. He was on duty at the time and engaged in work-related activities when he was struck. Emergency personnel and investigators from Union Pacific and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) remained on the scene into Tuesday morning.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has opened an investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the fatality.
Potential Contributing Factors
While official findings have not yet been released, railroad worker fatalities often involve a complex interaction of safety procedures, communication breakdowns, visibility issues, or insufficient training. The area near the Texas Farm Products facility, where the incident occurred, sees regular train traffic, and work around active tracks carries significant risk.
Safety regulations imposed by OSHA and the Federal Railroad Administration are meant to prevent precisely this type of tragedy. If protocols for worker safety, rail traffic coordination, or site hazard control were not followed, these factors may play a role in the investigation.
Railroad Worker Rights and Legal Remedies
Railroad workers like Mr. Gardner are covered under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), a special statute designed to protect injured railroad employees and their families. Unlike workers’ compensation systems, FELA allows injured workers—or their surviving families in fatal cases—to pursue legal claims against their employer for negligence.
Under FELA, a railroad may be held liable if it:
- Failed to provide a safe work environment;
- Did not properly train or supervise its employees;
- Failed to communicate the presence of hazardous conditions;
- Did not enforce or adhere to critical safety procedures;
- Allowed unsafe work practices around moving trains or in known danger zones.
If an investigation reveals that Union Pacific failed to meet these legal obligations, Gardner’s surviving family members may be entitled to pursue compensation under FELA, including for lost income, emotional distress, and funeral expenses.
Legal Support for Families After a Railroad Tragedy
Losing a loved one in an industrial or railroad accident is devastating. When that death may have been preventable, families deserve answers—and justice. Spagnoletti Law Firm has a team of accident attorneys who will work to uncover the truth, hold responsible parties accountable, and fight for the compensation families need to move forward.
If you have lost a loved one in a railroad accident or have questions about your legal rights under FELA, we encourage you to contact our firm. Our attorneys are available to provide a confidential, no-obligation consultation to discuss your situation and help you understand your options.
Call 713-804-9306 to speak with a railroad injury lawyer today.