Monroe man killed in car-train collision

2/2/2004

MONROE — A Monroe man was killed yesterday when his car was struck by a freight train at a crossing in Raisinville Township.

Shawn M. Nolan, 34, was westbound on Dixon Road at 12:14 p.m. when he drove his car onto the Canadian National tracks and into the path of a northbound Indiana & Ohio Central Railroad Co. train, the Monroe County sheriff's department said.

The train, operated by engineer Joseph Huster, 47, of Lima, Ohio, struck Mr. Nolan's car and pushed it north for about 70 feet. The car then slid off the tracks and 65 feet down an embankment, pinning the driver inside.

Mr. Nolan was pronounced dead at the scene. Mr. Huster was unhurt. The crossing, about a quarter-mile east of Nieman Road, is marked with crossbucks and a stop sign, the sheriff's department said.