FURTHER UPDATE: Fourth Person Dies After Train Strikes SUV in Vandalia Thursday Night

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Published on October 30 2014 4:03 pm
Last Updated on October 31 2014 12:36 pm
Written by Wayne Moran

A fourth person has died as the result of Thursday night's crash in Vandalia where a freight train struck a SUV.

Vandalia police say 35-year-old Crystal Anna of Greenville, the driver of the SUV, died of her injuries Friday at 12:42pm at St. Louis University Hospital.

Fayette County Coroner Bruce Bowen said the vehicle driven by Anna pulled into the path of the train. The crash resulted in the death of 10-year-old Abby Wisnasky, her brother, 13-year-old Drake Wisnasky, and stepsister, 18-year-old Alyssa Sewell. Bowen pronounced the victims dead at the scene at 7:16pm. Another occupant of the vehicle, nine-year-old Dylan Wisnasky, was injured and was airlifted to St. Louis Children's Hospital in critical condition.

The accident occurred about 6:50pm near the intersection of 6th and Main streets, just a block north of where crowds had gathered to watch Vandalia's Halloween Parade, which heads down Gallatin Street.

1031 Van Train Wreck-640

A Google Map image of the crossing, with gates that extend to the north side of Main Street

Bowen said the vehicle was between the crossing gates when it was struck by the train. He explained that this crossing is large with two sets of tracks. An eyewitness said that the SUV backed up to the crossing gate to avoid the train but then attempted to move forward and get out of the path of the train, but couldn't do so in time.

Bowen said all of the victims were occupants of the vehicle prior to the crash.

An autopsy on the victims who died Thursday night was held Friday at HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham.