Margaret Day, 57, of Clarksville, TN was killed at about 7:30 A.M. Saturday morning when her vehicle was hit by a northbound CSX freight train at a dangerous, unguarded crossing of a private residential road and CSX railroad tracks just outside of Adams, TN.

The victim, who was wearing her seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene. The crossing accommodates 30 CSX and Amtrak trains daily at speeds as high as 60 mph. It is doubtful that the motorist ever saw or heard the train, as federal regulation does not require the sounding of train horns as they approach private crossings.

The crossing is “protected” solely by passive railroad crossbuck signs, lacking any form of automatic protection such as flashing lights, bells or crossing gates.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol is conducting the investigation into the tragic accident.