CANTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) - More details are emerging in connection with Thursday afternoon's car-train accident in Canton Township that killed five persons between the ages of 14 and 21.
WATCH TEAM 7 COVERAGE IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ON THE RIGHTAccording to Amtrak, Train 353 was traveling westbound when it hit the car. The train is the regularly scheduled outbound train from Pontiac to Chicago. The train was west of the Dearborn Station at the time of the accident. About 170 passengers were on the train.
Sources tell Action News that the car attempted to beat the train by going around the gates at Hannon Road. The force of the impact pushed the car nearly 150 yards toward Lotz Road.
Four young men and a girl were killed in the crash. Family members confirmed the identity of the girl, 14-year-old Jessica Sadler. Jessica was a 10th grader at Taylor High School. Also killed was Jessica’s boyfriend, 18-year-old Eddie Gross of Taylor; a 20-year old from Taylor; and 19-year-old Sean Harris from the Detroit area, along with his 21-year old brother Terrence Harris of Stafford, Va.
Amtrak says there were no injuries on the train and the passengers remained onboard as the train returned to the Amtrak station in Dearborn. Four buses arrived there, waiting to take passengers wherever they needed to go. Most were headed to Chicago.
Because the train had engines attached to each end, the one that hit the car was disconnected and left at the scene while passengers were transported back to the Dearborn station.
Canton Police, Michigan State Police and representatives of Amtrak and Norfolk-Southern are on the scene. MIOSHA and the National Transportation Safety Board are also expected to join the investigation.
The accident closed both Hannan and Lotz roads between Michigan Avenue and Van Born Road. This is in the area of Michigan Ave. and I-275.
If you or someone you know was a passenger on the train we would like to hear from you. Please call our newsroom at (248) 827-9407 or email wxyzdesk@wxyz.com.Stay with Action News and WXYZ.com For the latest on this breaking news.
