OHIO — A driver was killed early Thursday morning after a vehicle was struck by a train at a railroad crossing in north Toledo, according to a major traffic accident report from the Toledo Police Department.
Police said the crash occurred around 2:54 a.m. on Jan. 3 in the 4000 block of North Detroit Avenue. Investigators determined the vehicle was traveling southbound and approached a railroad crossing that was not equipped with flashing warning lights.
Authorities said the crossing was marked with flares, and train personnel were positioned nearby carrying lanterns to indicate the roadway was closed due to an active train.
According to the report, the train was backing eastbound across North Detroit Avenue when the driver drove past the flares and warnings and attempted to cross the tracks. Investigators said the driver appeared to try to avoid the train at the last moment but was struck.
The vehicle was pushed approximately 50 feet before the train was able to stop, police said. The vehicle then caught fire. Toledo Fire crews responded to the scene and extinguished the flames. The driver was trapped inside the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene by fire personnel.
Police also reported that a member of the train crew who was riding on the back of the train was struck by the vehicle. That individual did not seek medical treatment at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation.
