The Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson Police Department and Iowa State Patrol responded to the scene just before 11pm Monday.  According to a report by the Iowa State Patrol, 26 year-old Cori Lynn Hunsicker of Jefferson was traveling southbound on Grimmel Road in a 1998 Chevy Venture.  A possible mechanical failure occurred, causing the vehicle to stall on the railroad tracks.  A Union Pacific locomotive struck the van, causing it roll before coming to rest on its top in the north ditch.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found Hunsicker had escaped the vehicle on her own while 5 year-old passenger Tyler Onnen, also of Jefferson, was ejected.  Hunsicker was transported via Mercy One to Methodist Hospital in Des Moines and Onnen was Life Flighted to the Blank Children’s Hospital.  According to hospital officials, both victims are currently in fair condition. The Iowa State Patrol says the 5 year-old was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.

According to Union Pacific Railroad spokesman Mark Davis, the locomotive that struck the van was traveling eastbound on the tracks heading to Chicago from California.  No one on the train was hurt and Davis says the railroad is providing peer support for employees after the traumatic incident.  The train did not receive any major damage and was able to continue on its way around 3:45am.
Davis says it’s important for drivers to remember that regardless of what kind of warning system is in place near railroad tracks, they all mean the same thing – watch out for oncoming trains.  He says typically, it takes a locomotive going 60 miles per hour with 100 cars, more than a mile-and-a-half to come to a complete stop.  Therefore, it’s important for drivers and pedestrians to take a proactive approach and keep a look out for trains.
KDLS news will bring you more information as soon as it becomes official.