Montgomery County—This afternoon at approximately 1:00 p.m.; Officers from the Indiana State Police and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office responded to County Road (CR) 1050E just north of US 136 for a van struck by a train.
The preliminary investigation by Trooper Ryan Royer and Probationary Trooper Kevin Jeffries revealed Kenneth Vansickle, 62 of Indianapolis, IN, was driving a gray 2007 Chrysler Town and Country Minivan southbound on CR 1050E. Vansickle approached the railroad crossing marked by a stop sign and rural RR crossing signs. As Vansickle accelerated through the crossing, his vehicle was struck by the train. The train, which was operated by CXS Railway Services, was eastbound approaching the crossing with its horn blowing. The Conductor of the train, Benjamin Fishero, advised he saw the minivan stop at the crossing and at the last minute pulled into the intersection. The train struck the van on the passenger side. Vansickle died as a result of his injuries. Vansickle's family has been notified.
No one on the train was injured. The train consisted of two engines, there were no freight cars being pulled. The investigation is still continuing.
Assisting at the scene were Indiana State Police Reconstructionist Trooper Kyle Wentland, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies Mike Kersey and Ben Boyd, Walnut Township Volunteer Fire Department, Crawfordsville Fire/EMS, and the Montgomery County Coroner’s office.
Photo is of train and van collision.
Suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Trooper Nathaniel Hampton
Lafayette District (765)567-2125
[email protected]
