Effingham Man Killed in Car/Train Crash

An Effingham man was fatally injured in a car/train crash just after 8am Wednesday at the Evergreen Avenue railroad crossing at Rt. 45 in Effingham.

Authorities reaching the scene found a vehicle had struck the side of a CN freight train, which was headed northbound at the time of the crash. The car, which was headed eastbound on Evergreen Avenue, came to rest on the northwest side of the crossing in the ravine after the crash.  

The Coroner’s office pronounced Ernest L. Rich, 67 of Effingham, deceased at the scene. He was the only occupant in the vehicle. The family advised he had just dropped off his two grandchildren at school and was heading back to his residence.

Preliminary investigation by the Effingham Police Department, Coroner’s office, and the CN railroad revealed the crossing lights and gates were working at the time of the crash. The conductor and engineer were not injured in the crash. 

A witness advised that they were eastbound on Evergreen Avenue and stopped for the train. The Rich vehicle drove past on the left, drove into the wrong lane, and struck the side of the train. 

The investigation is continuing by the Effingham County Coroner’s office and the Effingham City Police Department and the CN railroad officials.