Wisconsin High School Senior Killed in Railroad Crossing Collision
(Town of Alma Center, Wisconsin – May 21, 2024)
A Lincoln High School student was killed earlier this May while driving after his car was struck by an oncoming train at a railroad crossing in Alma Center. The collision occurred on Tuesday, May 21st, and was reported at around 5:20 pm. The victim was later identified as Black River Falls resident, 18-year-old Roman Fronk. First responders, including local law enforcement, fire department, and medical personnel, rushed to the scene to provide immediate assistance. Tragically, despite their efforts, Roman was pronounced deceased at the scene
According to a press release from the Jackson County Sherrif’s Office, investigators determined that Roman’s car failed to yield to the oncoming train before it was struck. However, it is still unclear as to the circumstances leading up to the collision, as well as the exact location of where the collision took place.
Roman was a high school senior who was just three days away from graduation on May 24th the following Friday. Roman was an active athlete and participated in football, basketball, and baseball. He had a 4.0 GPA and was a member of the National Honor Society with plans to attend the University of Wisconsin in the fall.
Roman is survived by his father, Charles Fronk Jr., his mother Tiffany, and his sister Sophia.
Based on data submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration, Alma Center only has one set of railroad tracks and five at-grade railroad crossing locations within the entire town. The single-track railway line travels East to West and is operated exclusively by Wisconsin Central Ltd., a subgroup of their parent company, Canadian National Railway Company. The five Alma railroad crossings each see an average of about 6 trains per day, travelling through the crossings at speeds up to 40 mph.
Of the five at-grade crossings located in Alma, only one of the crossings has any active warning devices, such as lights and gates, to warn motorists of oncoming trains. More alarming still is that the other four railroad crossings, in addition to having no active warning devices, none have any posted signage of at all to warn motorists of potential trains and to use caution. None of these four crossings, located on South Alma Road, North Pole Grove, Church Street and Main Street, have any crossbuck signs, stop signs, yield signs, pavement markings or are illuminated by lights, making the crossings even more hazardous.
It is still unknown as to which of Alma Center’s five at-grade railroad crossings is the exact location of where this tragedy occurred, however, the lack of warning signs and active warning devices at over half of the crossings are a define cause for concern for the motoring public.
