Crime & Safety
Woman Dies In Lakeland Train Crash: Sheriff
A Lakeland woman lost her life Saturday night after a train collided into the passenger side of her car near Reynolds Road, deputies said.
LAKELAND, FL — A 44-year-old woman died on Saturday night when a train hit her as she tried to drive around the railroad crossing arms, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.
The victim, Sandra Locke, of Lakeland was in a 2004 Toyota Corolla that spun several times from the impact of the Amtrak locomotive, according to deputies.
The fatal crash took place on Reynolds Road just north of U.S. Highway 542.
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Locke was not wearing a seatbelt when the train hit the passenger side of the car before 7:20 p.m., investigators said.
Authorities said it appeared that Locke ignored the crossing arms, driving her car around the barriers and over the train tracks.
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The railroad crossing arms were activated in the down position, detectives said.
The train came to a stop 1,802 feet east of the crash, deputies said.
Locke died at the crash location, police said.
None of the 94 passengers or 11 crew members had any injuries.
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