Three people were killed in a railroad crossing accident at a dangerous, unprotected crossing with no lights and gates in Trenton, Missouri on Wednesday.

In addition to the inherent dangers of an unprotected railroad crossing, the crossing environment was made more dangerous by the winter storm running through the area.

A respected pastor and his wife were killed on Sunday morning at an unguarded crossing in Lemoine, LA.  The crossing is not outfitted with any safety devices - no lights or gates.  Only a crossbuck sign exists to mark the location of the crossing.  The oncoming train hit the car on the passenger's side, causing the car to burst into flames and pushing it nearly 200 feet.  The driver and passenger were both killed immediately upon impact.

A 79-year old man lost his life at a railroad crossing in Marshfield, WI.  He was transported from the scene of the crash to a local hospital, where he remained unconscious and died shortly after.  Medical examiners determined that he had not suffered a stroke or heart attack that would have knocked him unconscious.  Seeing that he was transporting beer, police theorized that he may have been drunk and cited him for driving under the influence.

A train accident in Girard, Kansas at an unguarded railroad crossing resulted in tragedy on Sunday.  The driver, a 22 year old woman, lost her life in the accident, and her 7 month old baby and the father both were seriously injured in the accident.  The accident is under investigation.  No gate to protect motorists from trains exists at the crossing.