Milby High Student's Death: One Year Later, Safety Upgrades Incomplete

Tragedy and Initial Response

• 💔 A year ago, 15-year-old Sergio Rodriguez was tragically killed by a train while walking to Milby High School.
• 📌 Sergio was struck while attempting to cross railroad tracks along Broadway, a route many students continue to use despite it not being a designated pedestrian crossing.
• ⚖️ His parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Union Pacific, citing a lack of basic safety protections for students.

Safety Measures and Progress

• 🚧 Temporary safety fixes have been implemented over the past year, with a permanent safety fence now in place to prevent students from crossing outside designated areas.
• 🏛️ City leaders advocated for long-term solutions, such as a pedestrian bridge, to ensure student safety.
• 💰 Senate Bill 1555 was signed into law, allocating $250 million in grant money for overpasses, underpasses, or pedestrian walkways.
• 🌉 An additional $10 million was secured to build a pedestrian bridge in memory of Sergio Rodriguez, with design underway and construction anticipated to begin in the summer of 2026.

Ongoing Concerns

• 🗣️ Despite these measures, families express that more still needs to be done to ensure student safety.
• 📍 The community in Southeast Houston marks this day as a reminder of their loss and the ongoing efforts to prevent future tragedies.