Full Notification

Muncie – This afternoon around 4:30 p.m. Fort Wayne Trooper David Haines was north bound on the four lane divided Muncie Bypass, just north of Cowan Road, in Delaware County. Haines was returning to his assigned district after completing a training assignment at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Plainfield Indiana.

As he approached a rail crossing, Haines looked away from the road at his in car computer. When he looked back he realized a west bound train was entering his side of the roadway. He was unable to stop his 2008 Crown Victoria before hitting the engine of the train. The Norfolk Southern train was able to stop, and Haines was uninjured. The crash had the roadway blocked for an hour to remove the car and to get the train rolling again.

We often talk about the dangers of distracted driving, whether it’s the electronic devices in a police officer’s car, someone talking in your car, cell phones, radios or other distractions. Fortunately, no one was injured in this crash; but it serves as a reminder for all drivers of the dangers of distracted driving.

In 2013, there were 90 railroad crossing collisions resulting in 32 people injured and 16 fatalities in the State of Indiana.