Alcohol a factor in deadly train accident

LAPORTE COUNTY, Ind. -- A La Porte man was killed when his Dodge Caravan was hit by a train near Union Mills.

The man has been identified as 40-year-old Brian D. Massengill of LaPorte.

The crash happened near State Road 39 and south of US Highway 6 around 3 a.m. Thursday.

The LaPorte County Sheriff's Office said a westbound train struck the van at the Canadian National Railroad crossing.

The tracks where the crash occurred are under construction. ABC 57 was told the area has been under construction for just a few days.

There are barricades in place. Officers investigating said the victim drove around two of them and became stuck on the crossing.

The train was traveling at approximately 45 miles per hour at the time.

Officers said the lights and crossing arms at the crossing were working properly.

The sheriff's office reports alcohol was a factor in the crash and his BAC was .393.