Train hits vehicle at rail crossing
DENBO – Three people escaped with only minor injuries after a train hit the vehicle in which they were traveling Sunday at a railroad crossing on Low Hill Road. State police said Trillis Cronin of Denbo tried to cross the tracks and a Norfolk Southern train carrying 88 empty cars struck her vehicle. The engineer operating the engine was Andrew Boscan.
Riding with Cronin were Lisa Delgado and Mariah Reynolds, no addresses listed. Police said that when the train hit the vehicle, it pushed and spun the vehicle back, away from the moving train.
According to Washington County 911, two of the people in the vehicle were transported to Brownsville General Hospital by ambulance, and all three were treated for minor injuries. State police, Brownsville and Bentworth ambulance services and Denbo-Vesta and Fredericktown fire departments responded to the incident.
Denbo Fire Chief Bob Dever said the intersection is not well lit, and there is a small hill approaching the tracks.
“I was not at the scene, but from what I gather the car crept up and was hit by the train,” said Dever, “I know there are no lights at that railroad crossing, because it crosses for just a few houses in that area.”
Dever said he could not remember any similar accidents occurring at that intersection, but said he thought it could be difficult for drivers to see trains coming at night.
“It’s not the best intersection,” said Dever. “There is not a lot of room to check the tracks coming from either direction.”
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident.