Fatal Train Derailment
14-Year-Old Robert Orton Killed After Semitruck Collision Derails Train
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A 14-year-old boy from Palmyra, Missouri, was killed on June 3, 2026, after a semitruck failed to yield at a rural Iowa railroad crossing, triggering a massive train derailment. Robert Orton was a passenger in the truck, driven by his father, 38-year-old Michael Orton, when an Iowa Interstate Railroad train struck the vehicle near Old 6 Road in Poweshiek County, about three miles west of Victor, Iowa, according to KCCI.
The collision derailed two locomotives and between 17 and 20 freight cars, according to Associated Press. Robert was pronounced dead at the scene. His father was airlifted to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City with serious injuries. The train's conductor and engineer were also hurt.
Semitruck Ran Lights at Unguarded Crossing
The crash happened around 12:37 PM when the westbound Iowa Interstate train hit the 2015 Kenworth semitruck on Highway 21. The Iowa State Patrol says the truck "failed to yield" at the crossing. The crossing had flashing warning lights but no gate arms — a setup sometimes called a "passive-plus" crossing, according to We Are Iowa.
The semitruck was hauling a large piece of John Deere equipment and was linked to Sydenstricker Nobbe Partners, a John Deere dealership, according to CDLLife. Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Mike McCormack served as the primary spokesperson for the investigation. Highway 21, a key north-south route between Interstate 80 and Highway 6, was closed for several days after the crash.
A School Community Mourns an Incoming Freshman
Robert Orton was set to start his freshman year at Harrisburg R-VIII School District in Missouri. The district released a statement on June 5, 2026, calling him "a beloved member of our Bulldog family." The full statement read: "The loss of such a young life is profoundly heartbreaking and will deeply affect our entire school and community," according to KCRG.
No Gate Arms — A Systemic Gap in Iowa Rail Safety
About 14% of Iowa's rail crossings have flashing lights but no gate arms, according to We Are Iowa. Gate arms create a physical barrier that lights alone cannot. Installing them can cost anywhere from $30,000 to $1 million per site, which is why many rural crossings go without them.
Iowa lawmakers have tried to address this before. In April 2024, Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill that doubled fines for drivers who ignore crossing signals in certain zones, raising the minimum fine to $520. A separate bill, SF39, sought to require gate arms at more crossings, but many rural sites remain unprotected, according to Radio Iowa.
Derailment Damage Ripples Through Iowa Agriculture
Iowa Interstate Railroad, which is marking its 40th year in 2026, said safety is its "number one priority" and pledged full cooperation with investigators. The railroad received national safety awards from the ASLRRA in 2025, according to Trains Newswire. No hazardous materials were involved in the crash.
The derailed line is a key route for Iowa's farm exports. The Poweshiek County Sheriff's Office said the crash caused "significant damage" to the rail line. Cleanup crews brought in heavy equipment on June 4 to move the derailed cars. Experts say crossing-related derailments are among the most dangerous, since they happen at full train speed. Art Dickerson, a derailment cleanup expert, told We Are Iowa that drivers often "underestimate the speed and distance" of an approaching train.
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