(The following story was published in the January 7 online issue of the Toledo Blade.)
WILLISTON, Ohio — A 41-year-old woman was injured yesterday when her car was struck by a train on Opfer-Lentz Road in Ottawa County’s Allen Township.
Christine M. Reeder, a Williston area resident, was in fair condition in St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center after she was transferred there by medical helicopter.
Troopers at the Sandusky post of the Ohio Highway Patrol said Mrs. Reeder was southbound about 5:25 p.m. yesterday on Opfer-Lentz south of State Rt. 579 when she stopped at the railroad grade crossing, then began to drive across the tracks and was hit by a westbound train.
The Norfolk Southern train, with four engines and 86 rail cars, was traveling 37 miles per hour at the time of the crash, troopers said. The grade crossing was marked by a warning sign, roadway rumble strips, and a railroad cross buck sign. The motorist, who was wearing a seatbelt, lives about two miles from the railroad crossing.
An engineer, a conductor, and a conductor in training aboard the train were not injured.
The accident remains under investigation.