A collision between a train and car at the Portage Street and Whipple Avenue crossing in Jackson Township has resulted in one fatality Friday.

85 year old Wiladine VanWert drove through the railroad crossing gate and was hit broadside by a Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Train and was killed.

The train was headed south on the second leg of its round trip and VanWert was believed to be traveling east.

CVSR President and CEO gave this statement after the crash. "Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad offers our sincerest condolences to the family of the victim. We are sensitive to the needs of our volunteers and train crew and will continue to support them as we work through this traumatic experience."

Sergeant David Garber of the Canton Highway Patrol tells AkronNewsNow that "all the warning devices including the gate were operable, after the crash witnesses are saying the lights and gate were working."

The tracks are owned and maintained by Akron Metro RTA and are inspected on a weekly basis.

No one on the train, passengers or crew, were injured and the accident is still under investigating by The Ohio State Highway Patrol.

(CVNPA - news release)

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) was on the second leg of its morning round trip between Canton and Akron when it struck a vehicle at the Portage Street NW crossing, fatally injuring the driver.

The train was headed south, and the driver of the car was believed to be travelling east when the collision occurred. The accident is still under investigation, being led by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

“Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad offers our sincerest condolences to the family of the victim,” stated Craig Tallman, President and CEO of the not-for-profit railroad.  “We are sensitive to the needs of our volunteers and  train crew and will continue to support them as we work through this traumatic experience.”   No one on the train, passengers or crew, were injured.

The train tracks between Akron and the Canton Lincoln Highway Station are owned and maintained by Akron Metro RTA.  Tracks and crossing gates are inspected on a weekly basis.

CVSR operates in partnership with Cuyahoga Valley National Park through a cooperative agreement.  Spokesperson for the National Park, Jennie Vasarhelyi  offered:  “We at the National Park offer our sympathies to the families involved in this terrible tragedy.”