EAST CHICAGO – Three people, including a child, were killed and three more children were injured after their minivan was struck by a train at a railroad crossing in East Chicago, Indiana, Saturday morning.
A preliminary investigation indicates that the Honda Odyssey minivan was traveling north on 4600 Euclid Avenue when the signals, lights, and crossing gates indicating a train was approaching activated. The van is captured on video disregarding and going around the crossing gate, which was down and operational. The van was then struck by a westbound train.
The 36-year-old male driver and a 38-year-old female passenger died at the scene, along with a 10-year-old girl. Three boys, whose ages are between 7 to 10, were hospitalized in critical condition, police said.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office has identified the victims as 36-year-old Pedro Trinidad, 38-year-old Flor Carillo, and 5-year-old Evelyn Trinidad, all of East Chicago. the three other children are hospitalized in critical condition.
The train pushed the minivan about 200 yards west of the crossing.
The adult victims are from East Chicago, but their names have not been released.
It is unclear if everyone in the van were related.
Police say the investigation is ongoing.
