A Burlington Northern Santa Fe train collided with an SUV on Friday, Jan. 30, killing the driver and passenger.
Hubbard County Sheriff Cory Aukes reported the fatality in a Monday news release that identified the deceased as Douglas Stewart, 61, of rural Cass Lake, and wife Tiffany Stewart, 42.
The train conductor, Lee Silcox, 36, of Kempton, N.D., called 911 shortly before 10 a.m. Friday to report the crash in northern Hubbard County, Aukes said.
Deputies and medical personnel responded to the railroad crossing, where the Stewarts were pronounced dead, in Farden Township, about 12 miles southeast of Bemidji.
Aukes said a preliminary investigation found a 2016 Dodge Journey was traveling south on County Road 101 when it stopped at the stop sign for the railroad tracks. The train was westbound.
“As the train approached the intersection with the county road, Stewart then proceeded to cross the tracks and was struck by the train,” Aukes said in the news release.
The collision remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office.
