SAN LEANDRO — Prosecutors have filed manslaughter charges against a motorcyclist who allegedly drove onto the railroad tracks as a train was about to pass, leading to a fatal collision.
Jarred Logan, 30, was charged with felony vehicular manslaughter and two infractions: a railroad crossing violation, and driving without a license. He pleaded not guilty on Wednesday, court records show.
Killed in the Feb. 23 crash was Julia Rocca, who was riding on Logan’s 2003 Honda motorcycle. Logan and a group of more than 100 motorcyclists were on a ride when they stopped at the railroad tracks near Hesperian Boulevard and Springlake Drive to wait for a passing Amtrak train, which police say approached at “about 79 miles per hour,” the speed limit for passenger trains.
With the warning lights still active, police say Logan “made the decision to disregard the dangers of ignoring the warning devices, and began to cross the railroad tracks,” where the motorcycle was struck by the train. Police say Logan was critically injured in the crash.
Logan is listed in the charging documents as a San Jose resident, but a recent court minute order says he lives out of state. He has been released from jail after paying a bond company to post $75,000 bail, court records show.
His next court date has been set for Aug. 12.