Fatal crash puts railroad safety in question

FARMLAND, Ind. (WISH) - A Farmland Indiana grandmother is calling for improved safety measures at railroad crossings.

Deb Kiser's plea comes after a Sunday morning train accident killed her grandson and his friend. Kris Kiser and Amber Morrow died after the car they were in collided with a train at a Farmland intersection on Plum Street.

A third person in the car, Josh Ponder, survived.

The railroad crossing has flashing lights but no gate. The Kisers would like to see a crossing arm added to the intersection to improve safety.

According to INDOT, of the 5,700 public railroad crossings in the State 36% have flashing lights and gates, 21% have flashing lights only, 43% have signs only.

INDOT uses State and Federal money to upgrade crossings.

“(The money) allows 20 rail crossings with greatest need to be updated around the state each year,” said INDOT’s Will Wingfield.

INDOT is only responsible for public railroad crossings that intersect with state highways. Crossings like the one at Plum St. in Farmland are the responsibility of the municipality that takes care of the road.

While INDOT spends millions each year upgrading crossings, data shows drivers often ignore the warning gates and lights.

"Two out of every three crashes occur at crossings that have arms or gates," said Wingfield.

In 2011 Indiana ranked number two in the nation for accidents involving cars and trains, the state ranked number 6 for fatalities.