4 dead after car crashes into stopped train at SC railroad crossing, authorities say
Four people died Saturday night after a car slammed into a train in South Carolina, authorities told WPDE.
In a statement to WPDE, CSX said a car collided with a stopped train at the North Dargan Street railroad crossing in Florence at 10:45 p.m. on Saturday. The company added that three people inside the car were taken to the hospital.
The Florence County coroner told WPDE that four people died in the crash. CSX confirmed the train crew was not hurt.
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A fifth passenger survived the crash, the coroner told WPDE. There was no information on that person’s condition.
According to the coroner, 34-year-old Mitchell Carter II, 40-year-old Jeneka Carter, 46-year-old Antoine Hines -- all from Florence -- and 27-year-old Ruby Taylor, of Hartsville, died in the crash, WPDE reports.
The coroner told WPDE the car was speeding and tried to go around the crossing arms when it crashed into the train. The coroner said the car burst into flames on impact, WPDE reports.
The Florence Police Department is investigating what led up to the crash, WPDE reports.
On Sunday, CSX released the following statement to WPDE:
“At approximately 10:45 last night, a vehicle stuck a stopped CSX train on the railroad tracks at the North Dargen Street crossing in Florence, SC. Three vehicle occupants were transported to a McCloud hospital with unknown injuries. CSX personnel are cooperating with the Florence County Police who are investigating and should be contacted for further information about the incident. The train crew was not injured. At CSX safety is our highest priority in the communities we serve. We remind the public that any activity on or near a rail line can be dangerous.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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