The Lake County Coroner’s office in Crown Point released the names of the five victims of the June 25 crash of a car that drove around a train crossing gate.
The victims were identified as two women, Sherise Parrish, 20, and Latianna King, 20, and three men, De’Mario Craig, 24, Maurice Parrish, 20 and Byron Towns, 21.
Autopsies were performed June 26 on all five people.
The coroner’s report said all of the victims lived together on the 4000 block of Harrison Street in Gary. Their deaths occurred between 10:55 p.m. and 11:01 p.m., said the coroner’s office, who responded to the scene at 10:09 p.m.
The Gary Police Department responded to a train vs. vehicle crash around 10 p.m. June 25 to the intersection of U.S. Route 20 and Utah Street. Five people in a “severely damaged” vehicle were dead as police and fire personnel responded to the scene, Gary Police said in a June 26 press release. The victims were ejected from the car after the collision with the train, police said.
The coroner’s office determined the deaths to be accidental with a preliminary cause of death of multiple blunt force injuries. A toxicology report is pending for all victim, the office said.
Police said no crew members or passengers onboard the South Shore Line sustained injuries.
Adhere to train safety precautions
Gary Mayor Eddie Melton released a statement in response to the tragedy, saying he offers his condolences to the families of the victims and thanked the rapid response and professionalism of first responders.
Melton also urged people to remain vigilant and cautious at every railroad crossing.
“Never attempt to go around lowered gates or ignore warning signals,” Melton’s June 26 statement said.
South Shore Line President Michael Noland echoed Melton’s statement saying that the train signals, including lights, crossing gate, gate, bells and flashers, save lives.
“It’s not worth being in a hurry for a couple of seconds to wait for a train to clear and putting yourself and others at risk,” Noland said.
Continuing investigation
A traffic investigator from Gary Police, in partnership with Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District Transit Police Department, is investigating the fatal crash, police said.
Melton said the city is working with law enforcement, emergency services and railroad authorities to review current safety measures and identify additional steps to prevent future tragedies.
Email Tribune staff writer Camille Sarabia at csarabia@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Victims identified in fatal car vs South Shore train crash; incident ruled accidental
Reporting by Camille Sarabia, South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
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