The Nevada Highway Patrol this morning identified the truck driver and two passengers killed in a deadly train wreck Friday.
According to Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Chuck Allen, Lawrence R. Valli, 43, of Winnemucca, Nevada, was killed when the front of his 2008 Peterbilt tractor, that was towing two 2007 SmithCo side dump trailers, collided with the left side of a westbound Amtrak train at a controlled railroad crossing or intersection. Valli had been traveling northbound on the two-lane highway where the posted speed limit is 70 miles per hour.
Although evidence at the crash scene indicates the vehicle's brakes were applied, Mr. Valli was unable to stop his vehicle safely in time for the passing train. The collision resulted in two of the occupied rail cars to catch fire resulting in 6 confirmed deaths to date. There are still 5 passengers unaccounted for this morning.
Two of the victims riding on the train have been positively identified by the Washoe County Medical Examiner-Coroner's Office as Francis Knox , 58. and her 18-year-old granddaughter, Karly Knox, of Seward, Nebraska.
According to the journalstar.com, the Knoxes were accompanying a 16-year-old relative in her return trip to California. She survived the accident.
Francis Knox's husband William, 71, told the Journal Star he and his wife of 31 years had adopted Annie and three siblings 12 years ago. They adopted a fourth sibling 10 years ago. In their story Karly is referred to as Annie.
According to the Journal Star:
"Annie Knox was diagnosed with kidney cancer when she was 7 and had a kidney removed.
"She was a cancer survivor for the last 11 years," her grandfather said.