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Bartow Man Drives Around Crossing Gates, Is Killed By Train

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TBO.com

Published: January 29, 2009

A man who drove around railroad crossing gates was killed when a train hit his sport utility vehicle late Wednesday night in Polk County, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

The collision killed LaTravis Williams, 27, of Bartow. He was the only person in the vehicle.

Williams was driving east on Deeson Road near Kathleen Road about 11:17 p.m. as the train headed south approaching Deeson, the accident report said.

The crossing arms were down and the signal lights were flashing but Williams drove around the gates and into the train's path, the FHP said. The train hit the left rear of the 2006 Chrysler and the vehicle spun, ramming into the housing of the crossing arm controller.

The report said Williams was not wearing a seatbelt. The FHP is still investigating whether alcohol was involved. Alcohol was not a factor for the driver of the train, the report said.

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