1^st Sgt. Chad Hill, Public Information Office
Kosciusko County F.A.C.T. Team

MENTONE — One individual is dead following a vehicle, train collision in the town of Mentone Wednesday evening, Nov. 2.

Mentone Police officers, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department Deputies and emergency personnel, responded to the railroad crossing near the intersection of SR 25 and SR 19 at 7:24 p.m. today, after being notified of a vehicular crash involving a train.  Officers arrived and summoned the Kosciusko County Coroner’s Office, who pronounced a male driver, deceased at the scene. 

A preliminary investigation of the crash by Kosciusko County F.A.C.T. team reconstructionist has determined that the fatality vehicle had attempted to turn southbound onto SR 19 (Franklin Street) from SR 25 (Main Street), when his pickup truck went off the paved portion of the crossing and became stuck on the train track rails.  The pickup truck was then struck by an eastbound Norfolk Southern freight train.

The Kosciusko County Coroner’s Office will release the name of the victim tomorrow after notification of family members has been completed.

The Kosciusko County F.A.C.T. team was assisted by the Mentone Police and Fire departments, Mentone/Four-Way E.M.S., Parkview E.M.S. and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department.