Clarke County Democrat

Woman killed in car-train collision at Walker Springs crossing Monday





Railroad crossing at Walker Springs after automated crossing arms installed in 2011.

Railroad crossing at Walker Springs after automated crossing arms installed in 2011.

Betty JoAnn Hannon Arient, 61, of the Walker Springs community, was killed Monday night when her 2005 Buick was hit by a train at the railroad crossing in Walker Springs.

The accident occurred at approximately 10:05 p.m., according to Robyn Litchfield of the Alabama Department of Public Safety. The call came into the Clarke County E-911 dispatch center at 10:15 p.m.

According to the Clarke County Sheriff’s Department, the woman driver stopped at first at the crossing and then went around the crossing arms and was struck by the train.

Seats belts were not in use at the time of the crash, Litchfield said.

A log truck-train wreck in 2005 resulted in a court trial with jurors awarding $5 million against Norfolk-Southern

Railway. However, the Alabama Supreme Court overturned the verdict. The automated crossing guard was not in place then but was erected in 2011.

The case remains under investigation by the Alabama State Troopers.


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