Semi Crushes Member in Decatur, Ill.

Decatur, IL — SMART-TD is asking all members to rally to help support Brother Drew Morris, a conductor for Canadian National Railroad out of Local 453 (Clinton, IL).  

Morris was riding the point of a shove move with only one tank car across a clear road crossing in an industrial area. What should have been a routine two-second move ended in tragedy.  

In an instant, everything changed.

A semi-truck came out of a business adjacent to the tracks and attempted to beat the train. The vehicle collided with the ladder on the tank car Morris was riding, crushing him between the tank car and the truck. Those on the scene feared the worst, but miraculously, the 42-year-old conductor survived. 

What Now 

His recovery will be long, difficult, and uncertain. 

Local 453’s Legislative Representative, and Vice Chairman of SMART-TD’s Illinois Legislative Board,  Jarrod Hudson told SMART News that “When I’m not at work for the CN, I work fire and rescue. I see a lot of crazy things in that line of work, but when it’s one of my own brothers, it just hits different.”  

In order to help Brother Morris, Hudson and the members of Drew’s home local have established the Andrew Morris Benefit Fund to help provide some financial stability for Morris and his family.  

The fund is being operated by the Busey Bank, and donations can be made by mail, or at any of their locations throughout, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Missouri.  

To contribute to Drew Morris’s recovery fund mail a check payable to the ANDREW MORRIS BENEFIT FUND to any branch of the Busey Bank. The closest branch to Brother Morris’s residence is located at 909 W Kirby Ave, Champaign, IL 61821. 

“What happened to Drew could have happened to any of us. We’re grateful he’s still with us,” Hudson said. “As his union brothers and sisters, there are only two things we can do in situations like this one. First, we can fight like hell to get changes made to make sure it doesn’t happen again to anyone else. The second thing we can do is circle the wagons around Drew and take care of him as best we can as a union family, as he is going through this. At Local 453, you can bet we’re going to do both.” 

Not Everyone is Awake at the Switch 

What happened to Brother Morris wasn’t the result of carelessness, a bad move, or a broken rule on his part. He was doing his job the right way when someone else made a reckless decision that changed his life forever. This could have happened to any of us. 

Doing our jobs safely isn’t always enough. We have to remain constantly alert to the actions of others. Whether we’re flagging, riding, or shoving across a road, we can’t assume drivers will stop, wait, or even notice us. 

Let’s stand together for Brother Morris and his family, through our donations, through our solidarity, and by recommitting ourselves to vigilance and safety every time we’re on the ground. 

From all of us at SMART-TD: 
We stand with Brother Morris, Local 453, and every railroader who faces danger on the job. We are one union, one family, and when one of us is hurt, we all feel it.