NOVA, Ohio — A 43-year-old Shiloh man died Thursday afternoon when his car was struck by a train, the Mansfield News Journal reported.
Allan W. Clark was northbound on Ashland County Road 1181 in a 2002 Ford Taurus when his car was struck by a westbound CSX train traveling about 50 mph, the Ashland post of the Ohio Highway Patrol reported.
“It appears he didn’t stop at the sign,” Lt. Dick Miller said. “He ran right in front of the train.”
There is a stop sign at the tracks, which are in the far northern part of Ashland County.
“Back about 600 feet or so, there’s a railroad crossing painted on the roadway,” Miller said. “There’s also a railroad crossing sign and a stop ahead sign. All of those are clearly visible.”
The train consisted of two engines and 45 rail cars. The lead engine sustained slight damage to the front and the left side. It did not derail and pushed Clark’s car about 100 feet before the car stopped on the north side of the tracks.
“I’ve had (vehicles) pushed as far as 970 feet,” said Jerry Bauer of Bauer Service & Towing.
Troopers, Ashland County Sheriff’s Department deputies, members of the Ruggles-Troy Volunteer Fire Department and Firelands Ambulance employees chased down papers and other items that blew out of Clark’s car.
The car was destroyed and had to be towed. The frame of the license plate had the words “I Believe Union” on the top and “Local 42 Plumbers & Steamfitters” on the bottom.
County Road 1181 was closed for two hours after the crash. The accident is under investigation.