Williams Co. driver is killed at rail crossing

3/31/2005

ALVORDTON, Ohio - A 47-year-old Williams County man was pronounced dead at a Norfolk Southern crossing near Alvordton yesterday morning after he drove around lowered railroad safety crossing gates and into the path of a train, which crashed into his pickup.

Edward C. Kendra of West Unity was thrown out of the truck when an eastbound train hit it at 6:27 a.m., according to the Williams County Sheriff's Office.

Mr. Kendra lived at 201 1/2 West Church St., Sheriff Kevin Beck said.

He was unemployed, deputies said.

The train, which was powered by two locomotives, was bound for Detroit with 58 empty cars built for carrying automobiles, a Norfolk Southern spokesman said.

The Norfolk Southern crossing at County Road 21.50, just north of U.S. 20 in the far northeast corner of Williams County was closed for about three and a half hours after the crash, delaying four other Norfolk Southern trains.