Driver killed when train hits car in Polk County
AUBURNDALE (FOX 13) - Polk County deputies are investigating a deadly accident in unincorporated Auburndale, involving a train and a car.
Investigators say Elijah Sample, 20, was driving his 2012 white Dodge Avenger westbound on Old Lake Alfred Road, Saturday night when he came to a railroad crossing. Witnesses say Sample turned onto Dairy road, ignoring railroad crossing arms and signals.
The train then pushed Sample's car approximately 50 feet until it came loose and rolled 100 feet away.
Sample was pronounced dead at the scene.
The train was being operated by two engineers from Jacksonville and was traveling about 60 miles per hour at the time of the crash. The lead train suffered minor damage, and was cleared to leave the scene about three hours after the incident.
The railroad tracks were not damaged.