February 4, 2007

Two boys die in SUV-train crash

       Two young boys died Saturday, after a train slammed into an SUV in rural Johnson County.  It happened shortly after 5 o'clock on Stone's Crossing Road, just west of State Road 135 near Bargersville.  It took White River Township emergency crews nearly an hour to free the five people trapped inside their Chevy SUV.  "From eyewitness testimony, we've got the vehicle traveling eastbound on Stone's Crossing road (it) appears to have not come to a stop at the stop sign," said Johnson Co. Deputy Sheriff Andrew Fisher.  There are two stop signs on each side of the railroad tracks, but no crossing arms.

         Investigators don't know why Ed Alexander of Greenwood drove across the train tracks.  He was transported to Wishard Hospital for his injuries. His wife Tina and their nine-year-old son were taken to Methodist Hospital in critical condition.  Two family friends, a twelve-year-old and his nine-year-old brother were also in the vehicle. They died as a result of their injuries. They are identified as Travis and Jacob Findley of Greenwood.  The train operator was taken to nearby Johnson Memorial with chest pain.

         Fire Officials say they can't recall if accidents were common at the railroad tracks near Stone's Crossing Road.  "I'm not aware of any recent accidents like this," said Battalion Chief Jim Engmark, White River Township Fire Department.  Investigators say the train consisted of four locomotives and 59 cars at the time of the crash. They believe the train was transporting coal.  Click HERE for a related story.  (Story by MinHee Kim (WTHR Eyewitness News) and reprinted with permission.)
 
   

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