2 dead after crash between train, passenger vehicle in Rush County

RUSH COUNTY — Two men died after their vehicle collided with an Amtrak passenger train early Sunday in Arlington, officials say.

Both driver William Sanders, 24, of Indianapolis and passenger Wes Emerson, 21 of Knightstown, were found dead inside their vehicle when Rush County Sheriff's deputies responded about 2 a.m. to County Road 700 West, according to the sheriff's office.

None of the 11 staff members or 89 passengers on the train were injured, the sheriff's office says.

An investigation found that Sanders drove through crossing arms, which were operational at the time and in the down position, when the train hit his car.

The train was traveling at about 60 mph leading up to the collision.

An autopsy determined that Sanders and Emerson both died from blunt force trauma during impact.

The sheriff's office has not released additional details. An investigation is ongoing.

WRTV has reached out to the Rush County Coroner's Office for more information.