Mississippi Motorist Killed in Train Collision at CPKC Crossing
(McHenry, Mississippi – December 13, 2024)
A Mississippi motorist was killed last Friday, December 13, 2024, around 3 pm after his vehicle was struck by a Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) freight train. The collision occurred at the CPKC Crossing on West McHenry Road, just off Old Highway 49.
The Stone County Sheriff’s Department identified the victim as 30-year-old Charles M. Ladner, of McHenry. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. According to public officials, Mr. Ladner was driving a Chevy Silverado pickup on W McHenry Road when he attempted to cross the railroad tracks and was struck by a southbound CPKC train.
According to CPKC submitted records, the railroad crossing where this collision took place sees a daily average of five trains traveling at speeds up to 49 miles per hour. There have been at least two prior collisions at this crossing that have injured other motorists.
The KCS crossing where this collision occurred is not equipped with lights and gates. The crossing is also heavily surrounded by dense trees and shrubs, potentially affecting the ability of a motorist to see any oncoming trains. Especially if a motorist is approaching the crossing from the west, where the tree line blocks more of the right-side view of the railroad tracks and a motorist’s ability to see a southbound train.
This is the second railroad collision to occur in South Mississippi in just a few days. Last Thursday, December 12, 2024, one day before Friday’s tragedy, a motorist was critically injured in a train collision around 8:45 am at Lewis Avenue, in Gulfport. The Gulfport Police Department confirmed that the injured motorist was taken to a Coast hospital, and their condition is still yet to be released.
The Stone County Sheriff’s Department is still investigating Friday’s collision.