MURPHYSBORO – Two people were able to escape from a vehicle before it was hit by a train Tuesday afternoon in Jackson County.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office says the crash happened just after 4 p.m. at the railroad crossing on North 7th Street, north of Industrial Park Road, in Murphysboro. Deputies and an ambulance responded.
According to the sheriff’s report, 39-year-old Carmen Maruri-Cornelio of Murphysboro was driving north on North 7th when he approached an activated railroad crossing gate signaling an approaching train. Maruri-Cornelio was not able to stop his vehicle and struck the plowed snow along the edge of the roadway rendering his vehicle immobile. He was unable to remove the vehicle from the crossing, but was able to get out and remove a child passenger before the collision. They along with those on the train were not hurt. The train suffered minor damage.
Union Pacific railroad officials arrived to investigate. The sheriff’s office continues to investigate the collision.