A 26-year-old West Liberty woman was the victim of a traffic fatality Saturday afternoon when the vehicle she was riding in was struck by a westbound Iowa Interstate Railroad train, injuring two other family members in the vehicle including an eight-month-old baby and the 27-year-old driver.
According to the West Liberty Police Department and the Iowa State Patrol District 12, who is in charge of the investigation, the vehicle was traveling northbound on Columbus Street when it entered the path of the Iowa Interstate Railroad train at approximately 2:07 p.m.
The child and driver were both transported by West Liberty Ambulance Service to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. West Liberty Fire Department was also on the scene as well as deputies from the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office.
The third passenger, Jeshia Saldana Torres did not survive the crash and was ejected from the vehicle according to Iowa State Trooper Mike Messerich, who was at the scene. At the time of printing, the other names of the individuals involved had not being released to the public. The officer said he was not sure if they have been released from the hospital as of Tuesday afternoon.
The accident closed traffic on the street for several hours as drivers were asked to use West Prairie Street as an alternate route to cross the railroad tracks. The vehicle was a 2020 Volk Atlas. The accident remains under investigation.
Charges may be pending according to West Liberty Police Chief Eric Werling.