POKAGON TWP, Mich. — A Middlebury woman died after being hit by a train while attempting to cross railroad tracks while signals were engaged, according to Cass County deputies.
It happened Friday afternoon around 3:44 p.m. Witnesses say they saw a vehicle driven by Barbara Schult, 66, pass them eastbound towards the Pokagon Highway railroad crossing. They say they saw her attempt to cross over the railroad tracks while the gates were down and signals on indicating an incoming train.
An engineer in the train, 52-year-old David Morgan of Battle Creek, saw the vehicle enter the crossing and pressed the emergency break. The train didn’t stop in time, and collided into Schult’s vehicle. She was declared dead at the scene.
Morgan was taken to the Lakeland hospital in Niles for treatment.
The crash remains under investigation. At this time, authorities aren’t sure if a seat belt or alcohol use was known.
