A 26-year-old Tecumseh man has died after his SUV collided with a freight train in Lakeshore.
Essex County OPP say it happened around 11 a.m. Thursday on Wallace Line Road, between Essex County Road 22 and Essex County Road 42.
The man was the only person in the Explorer when it hit the CP Rail train. He was taken to Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital, but pronounced dead a short while later.
His name has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.
Const. Stephanie Moniz says the crossing was well marked.
"There are arms that come down, there are flashing lights,” says Moniz. “It's a very good crossing."
Both the conductor and engineer were on board the train, but were not injured.
"They did do everything within their means to alert the driver to the approaching train, by repeatedly sounding their whistle and putting their train in an emergency brake application," says CP Rail spokesperson Andy Cummings.
News of the collision hit close to home for the Wonsch family.
"The first thing I thought, was there we go again,” says Carol Wonsch. “Somebody else is going to lose someone, or somebody's going to get hurt."
Four years ago, their nephew Cory died at the exact same railway crossing.
"At that time there was only markings, there was no lights, there was no wigwams," says Chris Wonsch.
Their family fought to put measures in place. Regardless, OPP say drivers need to be alert at all times.
"Whether it's just the flashing lights, just the crossbucks, or there is an arm that comes down, as a driver on a road you have to be aware of your surroundings," says Moniz.
Wallace Line between County Road 22 and County Road 42 was closed while OPP technical traffic collision investigators and CP police investigated.
