MOUNT GILEAD, Ohio — A 2011 dark blue minivan was struck by a CSX train Saturday morning at approximately 8:40 a.m. Benjamin Berry, 42, sustained critical injuries; his son, 9-year-old Gage Berry was killed by the impact.
According to Sergeant Jason Murfield of the Mount Gilead Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol, the minivan was traveling south on Township Road 32 in Washington Township, Morrow County. The train was traveling west on the tracks.
Murfield said Gage Berry, who was a backseat passenger, was found dead at the scene — Benjamin Berry was transported to Grant Medical Center in Columbus where he remains in critical condition.
“I was just at the hospital, he’s clear and talking but still in critical condition,” said Murfield.
The conductor brought the train to a complete stop after the crash. The collision overturned the minivan according to Murfield.
The railroad crossing was posted with stop signs but did not have cross bars at the tracks.
“[The state of Ohio is] not required to have gateways at railroad crossings but it does need to be posted,” said Murfield.
According to Murfield the crossing had no visibility issues. There are no gates at the crossing.
The train remained on the track and there was no loss of its cargo. Alcohol and drugs do not appear to be a factor in this crash. The crash remains under investigation by the Mount Gilead Ohio Highway Patrol Post; and CSX, the company that owns the railcars, are handling their part of the investigation, said Murfield.
