(Miami County, Kansas – November 25, 2021)
An elderly Kansas driver and passenger were killed just before 6:00 PM, CDT Thursday evening when their Pontiac Grand Prix was struck by a Union Pacific freight train. The collision occurred at railroad crossing near Wagstaff and Ridgeview Roads in Miami County, Kansas. The violent collision caused the vehicle to catch fire, trapping the victims inside.
The crossing where this collision occurred is protected by lights and gates. However, it is unclear at this time whether or not the lights and gates were functioning properly in the moments prior to impact. Investigators are awaiting locomotive video footage from the front of the train to determine whether the signal system was properly malfunctioning.