One dead in Unity UTV/train crash
A 57-year-old Unity woman died at the scene of an Oct. 1 crash between a UTV and a train, with authorities saying it does not appear she stopped at the crossing.
Department of Natural Resources recreation warden Justin Bender of Woodruff said Colleen Reis was killed at approximately noon on Oct. 1 when the northbound UTV she was operating crossed the railroad tracks in front of an oncoming train. Reis was traveling on Sandhill Avenue and was negotiating a bend in the road where it crosses the tracks at Riplinger Road in the town of Unity, near Riplinger.
An investigation into the crash found no evidence of negligence on the part of the train operator or problems with crossing signage, Bender said, and it appears as if Reis may have been distracted.
“From all the evidence on scene, it doesn’t appear she stopped at the crossing,” Bender said.
Bender also said loud music was emanating from the UTV at the crash scene, which may be an indication Reis did not hear the approaching train. The stereo system also could have been activated by the crash, Bender noted.
