Counselors met with Columbus high school students on Monday as they grieved the loss of two of their own.
Friends revealed on social media that Matthew K. Newland, 18, and Carmyn M. Elkins, 17, both of Columbus, had traveled to Indianapolis for an Indiana Pacers basketball game Friday. When returning home that night, their vehicle turned into the path of an oncoming southbound Louisville & Indiana train at U.S. 31 and West County Road 550N. Both died later that night.
A cross was placed near the railroad tracks with Newland’s picture at the top as a memorial, with greenery and lights wrapped around it. Messages written on the cross said “We miss you,” and “We all love you.” A Gatorade bottle, along with pieces of Newland’s vehicle, were gathered at the base of the base, along with a white rose and baby’s breath.
Newland, the 2018 North graduate who was driving, and Elkins, an East junior who was his passenger, were found unconscious in a heavily damaged gray 2015 Nissan Versa, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s deputies said. Investigators said Newland is believed to have driven through the U.S. 31 southbound turn lane to eastbound 550N and onto the tracks into the path of the freight train at 10:17 p.m. Friday.
Deputies said the turn lane at the intersection had a red light indicating motorists should stop and the train warning flashing lights were operating when the crash occurred. A witness confirmed that the train was blowing its horn at the time of the accident.
Both victims were extricated from the vehicle by Columbus firefighters, and Newland was pronounced dead at 11:24 p.m. Friday at Columbus Regional Hospital by the county coroner’s office. Elkins was pronounced dead at 11:52 p.m. Friday at Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital, Marion County coroner’s office officials said.
Cause of death for both individuals was blunt force traumatic injury, according to both coroners’ offices.
About 20 East students immediately took advantage of the counseling opportunity Monday morning at the school, and more were expected throughout the day, said Larry Perkinson, BCSC employee and student assistance coordinator. Counselors were also at Columbus North on Monday, and were prepared to head to any Bartholomew Consolidated school that requested help in the wake of Friday’s accident, school district officials said.
For more on this story, see Tuesday’s Republic.
