Effingham, IL -(Effingham Radio)- On Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 8:09 am, the Effingham Police Department and the Effingham Fire Department responded to a car / train crash at the Evergreen Avenue railroad crossing at Rt. 45 in Effingham, Illinois.
Upon arrival they found a vehicle had struck the side of a CN freight train which was headed northbound at the time of the crash. The 1991 Lexus which was headed east bound on Evergreen Avenue came to rest on the northwest side of the crossing in the ravine after the crash.
The Coroner’s office was contacted and pronounced the driver deceased at the scene. The driver was identified as Ernest L. Rich, age 67 of Effingham, Illinois. He was the only occupant in the vehicle. The family advised he had just dropped off his two grandchildren at school and was heading back to his residence.
Preliminary investigation by the Effingham Police Department, Coroner’s office and the CN railroad revealed the crossing lights and gates were working at the time of the crash. The conductor and engineer were not injured in the crash.
A witness advised that they were eastbound on Evergreen Avenue and stopped for the train. The Ernest Rich vehicle drove past her on the left, drove into the wrong lane and struck the side of the train.
The Coroner’s office transported Mr. Ernest Rich to HSHS St. Anthony Hospital morgue and notified the next of kin. Toxicology results are pending.
The investigation is continuing by the Effingham County Coroner’s office and the Effingham City Police Department and the CN railroad officials.
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