Second Indiana Victim Succumbs to Injuries Suffered in CSX Crossing Collision
(Austin, Indiana – February 2, 2020)
A Saturday afternoon car/train tragedy became a double fatality just before noon Sunday when a second victim succumbed o her injuries. The collision occurred when a 2005 Nissan was attempting to traverse the dangerous and unguarded Louisville & Indiana Railroad tracks at West Booe Road (Christie Road) in Scott County, IN, near Austin. Their vehicle was struck by a CSX freight train.
According to Jefferson County, KY coroner’s office, Hannah Combs, a 17-year-old senior at Austin High School succumbed from her injuries Sunday. She was taken to the University of Louisville Hospital with life-threatening injuries following the crash which killed driver Stephanie Trabue, 22, of Scottsburg, IN instantly. A third occupant of the car, Karli Rose, 20, and also of Scottsburg, was upgraded to stable condition on Monday by hospital officials.
Law enforcement officials said a video taken from the locomotive of the CSX train showed the Nissan appeared to slow down as it attempted to traverse the crossing. However, the victims never saw or heard the CSX train until it was too late. It is virtually certain this collision could have been prevented if he crossing was properly equipped with flashing lights and automatic gates.
