NEWTON COUNTY, IN – A car was involved in a collision with a train on State Route 55 near 1200N in Indiana Thursday afternoon causing significant damage to a vehicle and severe injuries to the driver.
Reports from witnesses on scene suggest that there were no lights or sounds warning drivers before the collision, which also involved a utility truck.
The victim, identified by friends as Ryan Orton of Roselawn Indiana, is currently in the ICU receiving treatment for his injuries, which include fractures to his ribs and back and collapsed lungs.
Despite the severity of the accident, Ryan remains in good spirits. However, his medical treatment and the inability to work due to the accident mean that he faces a significant financial burden, as he was without medical insurance and his car was uninsured.
To help support Ryan and his family, a GoFundMe fundraiser has been established. His friend Kami Mikuta set up the page to cover Ryan’s medical expenses and other out-of-pocket costs, as well as living expenses while he recovers from his injuries. As of Saturday afternoon $1,400 had been raised towards the $10,000 goal.
“The crossing guard and lights never went off when they should have, and resulted in this accident,” Mikuta said in the GoFundMe. “He’s suffering from fractures in his back, but broken ribs, and both of his lungs are collapsed.”
The cause of the accident is still under investigation, and it highlights the importance of proper safety measures at railroad crossings to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
The accident prompted the closure of the roadway, but it was cleared by 5:30 pm Thursday. Donations can be made at https://gofund.me/6c6f9cc8.
