You also are correct, GRJ. The devil is in the details. By massaging the details, one can create alternative facts.
As I get a little long in the tooth, I have more sympathy for "elderly couples" who get confused or fail to notice what is happening. But all too often, these crossing accidents are the result of a knowing choice (going around the gates) or negligence (failure to STOP-LOOK-LISTEN).
Several decades ago, we had a horrific accident here in Virginia. The Catlett VFD was responding to a fire. The driveway to the fire crossed the Southern single-track mainline, guarded only by a crossbuck. Blowing their siren loudly, they didn't hear the train horn. Several firemen were killed.