Woman Killed After Train Collides With Car In Westmoreland County
By: Shelley Bortz/KDKA-TV News
SUTERSVILLE, Pa. (KDKA) - A woman was killed Wednesday morning when her car collided with a train in Sutersville.
The Westmoreland County coroner said 76-year-old Mary Ann Keegan died from the injuries she sustained in the crash.
The accident happened at the Fourth Street railroad crossing, one of three crossings along the road. It doesn't have gates to stop drivers from crossing when a train is coming. It only has the flashing warning lights.
Dawna Steban lives across from the railroad tracks in Sutersville and knows all too well the sound a train makes when it slams on its brakes. She said when she heard that distinct shrill, she knew what had just happened.
"It's normal for me when there's an accident because we know different sounds when the train stops," she said.
Steban said she's witnessed five train accidents in the 15 years she's lived on Second Avenue but never imagined Wednesday's crash would involve someone she knows.
Officials said Keegan was killed when her car collided with a CSX train.
"I know she was propelled down the tracks obviously from striking a train. There's going to be some force. At that point, it did come to rest off of the railing and into a private car there, passenger car," said Sutersville Assistant Fire Chief Michael Manly.
Keegan lived on Second Avenue and officials said it appears she was heading home just after 10:30 a.m. The train was stopped on the tracks while crews worked to clear the scene until just after 3:30 p.m.
KDKA reached out to CSX for comment and is waiting to hear back.