Fatal train crash renews Palmetto residents cries for crossing arms

PALMETTO, Ga. - It's not clear what was happening in the moments before 53-year-old Mildred Brookshire's small white car was struck by a CSX train in Palmetto around 10 p.m. Thursday. Officials from the Georgia State Patrol said the Fayetteville failed to yield to this train as it passed through Palmetto along Main Street Thursday night.

Mike Traylor was witnessed the horrible crash. He was just about to turn into his home near the Main Street train track when he saw the white car flip and the train shoved it down the track.

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“I used to be a firefighter so I tried to help. I saw her in there, but it was just too late. I couldn't feel a pulse. And it was so sad because her dog was in the back seat with a blank stare. His legs were pinned in the back so he couldn't move. It was just bad,” Traylor said. “Some family members came and got the dog after he was rescued, but a man who must have been her husband just stayed there at the car, just so sad.”

Train operations resumed as CSX contractors made repairs in the area where Brookshire's car came to a stop. There are no warning signals at the spot where Brookshire's car was hit a quarter of mile away on Harper and Main streets. Investigators are still trying to determine if the Fayette County woman was distracted or just didn't see the train coming. Neighbors said they hope Palmetto official will just close the intersection to traffic or ask CSX to install warning lights and crossing arms. Both are installed at the intersection a few yards from where Brookshire's car came to rest.

 “This is the second person to die at this intersection in two years. It's not right. Something needs to be done because sometimes you may not hear the train or see it as it's coming around the curve until the last minute,” one neighbor said.

Robert Swaney, who lived near the tracks for 8 years, said it may be time for CSX to consider installing additional safety signals here.

“They're two tracks there. Not just one like at the intersection where the crossing arms. There's a lot more traffic crossing through there too, so this could happen again,” Swaney said. “People just have to look and be careful.”