Passenger of car hit by train dies

6/21/2007

An 18-year-old Lake Township man died Tuesday, six days after he was hurt when a train struck a car in which he was a passenger in northeastern Wood County, authorities said.

Matthew Thomas Blakeman, Jr., died in University of Toledo Medical Center, formerly Medical College of Ohio Hospital, where he was flown after the crash June 13 in Troy Township.

Mr. Blakeman was riding with Todd Zam, 18, of Walbridge, east on Railroad Street in Lemoyne, when Mr. Zam failed to stop at a stop sign at Lemoyne Road, the Ohio Highway Patrol said.

Railroad Street ends there. To stay on the roadway, Mr. Zam needed to turn. Instead, he continued on and the car became stuck on the CSX railroad tracks. Seconds later, a northbound CSX train struck the car, troopers said.

Mr. Zam jumped out of the car before it was struck and was not hurt. Charges in the crash are expected, a trooper said last night.