(La Porte, IN) - There are indications a 19-year-old woman killed when hit by a train in La Porte was possibly caught off guard by another train heading in the opposite direction.

 

The preliminary findings of the ongoing police investigation show that Kaylie Pacione may have veered around the crossing gates Tuesday at Orchard Avenue and 2nd Street.

 

According to police, the conductor and engineer on the eastbound Norfolk Southern train striking the vehicle told investigators the crossing arms were down, and the signals activated when the car ventured onto the tracks.

 

Police said a westbound train was also stopped at that location when emergency responders first arrived at the scene of the collision.

 

Whether both trains were passing through at the same time just before the collision was not specified in the police report of the crash.

 

Some drivers, in general, have been known to veer around crossing arms when one train clears the crossing as another train approaches from the opposite direction.

 

Police said the outcome of the investigation hinges on a review of video footage of the crash from a camera on the front of the train. Investigators were still waiting for the railroad to turn over the footage for review.

 

According to police, the mother of the Union Mills woman was contacted by her daughter’s employer that she hadn’t shown up for work. In response, her mother went to the crossing soon after the 7 a.m. crash.

 

Police said she was led there by her daughter’s GPS information revealing her present location.