2 Women Killed, 3 Kids Injured After Minivan Was Hit by Freight Train While Driving Around Crossing Arm

Two women were killed and three children were injured after a minivan was struck by a freight train in Birmingham, Alabama, early Friday, Jan. 16.

Carolyn Elaine Berry, 47, and Aldereka Laqulla Ikes, 36, were traveling with four children when the crash happened around 1:46 a.m., according to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office. Local outlets WBRC, WIAT and WVTM reported that investigators believe the minivan went around a lowered railroad crossing arm before it was hit.

Berry, described by WIAT as a mother of five, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to WVTM. Birmingham Fire and Rescue said Ikes was taken to UAB Hospital, where she later died.

Lt. Catina Williams of the Birmingham Fire Department told WIAT that three of the four children in the vehicle were transported to Children’s of Alabama Hospital with injuries and are expected to recover. Police also told the outlet that a witness pulled the children from the minivan before first responders arrived.

After the crash, one of Berry’s daughters, Malika Kater, told WIAT that her mother was sitting in the passenger seat when the train struck. Kater also said none of the children in the minivan were Berry’s.

The Birmingham Police Department continues to investigate what led to the crash. In the meantime, Jennifer DeAngelis, a spokesperson for the rail safety nonprofit Operation Lifesaver, Inc., pointed to drone video from the scene as a reminder of how quickly trains can approach crossings.

“They are moving, oftentimes, much, much faster than we think they are,” she told WIAT. “Trains can appear to be standing still when in fact they are moving very quickly.”

“A freight train traveling 55 miles an hour can take a mile or more to stop — that’s like 18 football fields,” she added. “If the gates are down, or the lights are flashing, a train is coming, and you want to make that safe choice every time.”