Train kills LaPlace man, smashes car

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, August 24, 2005

By MOLLY DRYMAN

Staff Reporter

RESERVE — A LaPlace resident died after being hit by a train in his car on Friday afternoon.

Devin Adams, 21, was headed south on Homewood Place, in Reserve, when a Kansas City Southern Railroad train, headed east, struck Adams’ silver Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

“The driver pulled out in front of the train,” said Public Information Officer Maj. Mike Tregre of the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office.

“The driver of the train indicated that the bell was ringing and the horn was blowing. The train came to a stop after striking the vehicle, which appeared to have flipped twice.”

Tregre said the maximum speed limit for trains in this area is 49 mph. The speed of the train at the time of the accident is still being investigated.

The crossing where Adams was hit does not have crossing arms, but a standard cross box.

Adams was airlifted to Charity Hospital in New Orleans, where he was pronounced deceased later that afternoon, according to Tregre.