EDITORIAL: A Desperate Plea

Editor’s Note: I published this call to action on The Banner’s Facebook page on Saturday, September 6, 2025 after two young men died in a truck-train collision on Harris Road, raising the death toll to three in the past three weeks at that intersection.

9/6/25 — At Harris Road in McKenzie at the railroad crossing after another tragedy today.

Three people have died at the Harris Road railroad crossing in the past three weeks and three days. Destiny Henry on August 13, and Luke Scott and Martin Perez on September 6.

There are no words to adequately describe the heartbreak we feel as a community as we grieve for those we’ve lost due to the recent accidents at this intersection and others, but one question remains, why?

Why does this keep happening and how can we make it stop?

These accidents have already taken too much from our small communities and unless something is done, the loss of life will continue.

So the question is, what are we going to do about it and when?

No time like the present to make some changes.

Additional warning signage, lights, crossing bars? There are no lights at this crossing.

I realize the hornet’s nest this might trigger in responses, I’m sorry, but it is necessary.

The enormous burden on the hearts of the families and the first responders who are working these scenes… this has got to stop.

The cost is too high.

The Banner grieves with the families and everyone affected by these tragedies.