Indiana Motorist Seriously Injured at Louisville & Indiana Railroad Crossing That Has Been Delayed For Lights and Gates Installation
(Whiteland, Indiana – August 12, 2020)
Delays in completing the installation of crossing gates and flashing lights at a Louisville & Indiana crossing on Tracy Road (East CR 700 N) resulted in another serious collision and injury to a female Indiana motorist Wednesday. This time, the motorist’s vehicle was struck by a CSX train at the deadly, dangerous crossing.
The victim, 24-year-old Katerina Hockersmith, was airlifted to IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis for treatment of foot and leg injuries. The unguarded railroad crossing is still at least a week away for activation of the still non-functioning lights and gates, which almost certainly would have prevented the collision.
Eight CSX and Louisville and Indiana Railroad trains use the crossing daily at speeds up to 49 mph. The most recent collision was a 2019 fatal crash that took the life of 20-year-old local motorist Shauna Synesael.
Whiteland Town Manager Norm Gabehart told news media sources that “The new crossing signals will likely be turned on next week.”
