Photo provided Columbus police begin investigating an SUV-train collision that occurred at 9:17 a.m. Friday near the roundabout in downtown Columbus off of Indianapolis Road.
Indianapolis Road was closed for about an hour Friday after an SUV collided with a train near downtown Columbus. There were no serious injuries but one individual was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital.
At 9:17 a.m. Friday, CPD officers and other first responders were called to the area of Indianapolis Road at the roundabout with 11th, Brown, and Lindsey Streets about the crash. When officers arrived, they found a 2024 white Chrysler van that collided with a train, a stopped train, and a downed railroad crossing signal.
Based on the initial investigation, the van was traveling eastbound on Indianapolis Road approaching the roundabout, said Lt. Skylar Berry, Columbus Police Department spokesman. It crossed the railroad tracks and collided with the front of a train that was traveling northbound on the tracks. The rear passenger area of the van was struck, causing it to spin around and strike the railroad crossing signal.
Berry said a witness confirmed the railroad crossing warning lights were flashing when the crash occurred, and the lights continued to flash even though the railroad crossing signal was on the ground after the collision.
The driver and only occupant of the van, a 56-year-old man from Indianapolis, initially did not report any injuries. However, he was transported to the hospital for further evaluation by emergency medical services.
