FROSTPROOF, Fla. — Two people were killed on Friday morning in Frostproof after their vehicle hit a CSX train.
According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the crash took place on US-98 and Western Avenue, about 100 yards from US-27, at 3:05 a.m.
Officials say that 23-year-old Emily Moncrief, of Avon Park, was driving a Caravan with 23-year-old Lyndsay Serey, of Sebring, in the passenger seat when they hit the train. They were both pronounced dead at the scene. The engineer of the train was not injured in the crash.
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#Polk | Here are a couple of detours around the train vs vehicle incident on Hwy 98 in West Frostproof. pic.twitter.com/z0FTmAsnSp
— Tampa Bay Traffic (@TampaBayTraffic) June 15, 2018
Preliminary investigation suggests that the Caravan struck the crossing bar before hitting the 27th car of the CSX train. The impact caused the Caravan to roll and the train to derail.
Both women were wearing seatbelts. Investigators say that impairment may have been a factor in the crash. Autopsies and blood toxicology reports are pending.
The road was closed Friday morning and reopened Friday afternoon.
This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.
