Photos/Story by Michael Watiker
In Columbus, OH a car drove past flashing lights and onto railroad tracks into the path of a freight train, Wednesday.
A young couple was killed when the train smashed into their car, pushing it across a railroad bridge over a creek and another half-mile down the tracks.
The 72 car train, weighing in at 3,000 tons, was traveling between 35-40 m.p.h.
The dead were identified as 19-year-old Timothy Wooldridge and his 22-year-old wife, Christina, of Pickerington.
Columbus, OH Division of Fire Battalion Chief Doug Smith, (Batt 4/3unit) said it's possible that Wooldridge didn't see the train until he was on the tracks, then panicked and hit the brakes.
Bright sun that could have blinded Wooldridge, loud music in the car and other factors are being investigated by police.
The accident happened at Refugee and Hines Roads on Columbus' far east side.
Companies from the Violet and Truro Township Fire Department's also responded to the accident.
Mr. Wooldridge was ejected from the car and found laying in a creek bed below the crash site.
He was pulled from the water by witnesses to the crash. He was found in trauma arrest and was transported to an area hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Mrs. Wooldrige died at the accident scene.
