Man Dies After Car Hit By Train In Monroe County

MONROE TWP. (WWJ/AP) - Authorities say a 43-year-old man died after driving a car around railroad crossing gates and being hit by a freight train in Monroe County.

Flying over the scene in the LaFontaine Cadillac Buick GMC Chopper, WWJ's Lance Howard said the car was completely destroyed.

The sheriff's department said in a statement that Gregory A. Hopkins of Monroe died following the crash about 4:45 a.m. Wednesday at the crossing in Monroe Township. A preliminary investigation has found that the gates were down and flashing lights were activated, and it's not clear why he tried to cross.

The 1998 Buick Riviera was hit by the southbound CSX train and Hopkins was pronounced dead at the scene. He was the only person in the car.

There were no injuries reported to those on the train.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.