Leipsic crash victim identified by state highway patrol

11/2/2008

LEIPSIC, Ohio - A man who was killed Saturday when a train hit the pick-up truck he was driving has been identified by the Ohio Highway Patrol.

Ralph Haselman, 77, was driving his truck north on Liberty Street when he stopped at a CSX railroad crossing waiting for a southbound train to pass. Once that train cleared, Mr. Haselman drove over through the crossing and was struck by a northbound train, authorities said. The Liberty Street railroad crossing has warning lights, but no gates to keep motorists off the tracks when trains pass through.

Mr. Haselman died in the crash and was taken by ambulance to Love-Heitmeyer Funeral Home.

The CSX train crew involved in the crash was not injured, authorities said. The crash is still under investigation.

Leipsic is in Putnam County, about 45 miles southwest of Toledo.

Article appeared in earlier editions of The Blade and toledoblade.com

Train, vehicle collide in Leipsic; 1 dead

LEIPSIC, Ohio - One person died when a northbound CSX train and a vehicle collided at the Liberty Street crossing yesterday evening.

Troopers at the Ohio Highway Patrol's Lima post said the train's engine pushed the vehicle down the track before stopping at Mathias Street, about a quarter-mile away, following the 7:15 p.m. crash. The dead person's identity was withheld pending notification of family. Other details remained under investigation.

Leipsic is in Putnam County, about 45 miles southwest of Toledo.