The Eyrie

CORSICANA, TX — Two men were killed Tuesday night after a Jeep apparently went around lowered railroad crossing arms in Corsicana and was hit by an oncoming train, according to police. The crash happened shortly after 10:30 p.m. in the 300 block of West 12th Avenue.

Investigators said the Jeep was traveling west when it entered the crossing area. Officers who responded found the vehicle in a ditch on the south side of West 12th Avenue. Both men inside were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say the Jeep entered the crossing despite lowered arms

The Corsicana Police Department said the vehicle appeared to have gone around the railroad crossing arms before entering the train’s path. That detail is central to the investigation, though officials have not released a final determination on exactly how the collision unfolded.

The crash took place at a rail crossing in a heavily traveled part of the city, where warning equipment is designed to stop drivers from crossing when a train is approaching. Police have not said whether the train crew had time to react or whether any other vehicles were involved.

Officers found the Jeep in a ditch after the collision

When emergency crews reached the scene, they found the gray Jeep off the roadway in a ditch south of West 12th Avenue. Police said the vehicle had been struck after moving into the train’s path, and the impact proved fatal for both occupants.

Authorities did not immediately identify the men or give their ages. Their names are being withheld as the investigation continues and notifications are handled.

The Corsicana Police Department said the men were killed at the scene, underscoring how quickly a crossing collision with a train can become deadly. Officials have not released information about their condition before the impact or where they were headed.

Corsicana police and Union Pacific are investigating the crash

Police are working alongside Union Pacific to determine what happened in the moments before the collision. The rail company and local investigators are expected to review the crossing, the train’s movement and any available physical evidence from the scene.

That kind of joint review is common after railroad crashes because investigators often need to examine track conditions, crossing signals and vehicle position. Police have not announced any citations or charges connected to the deadly crash.

Crossing crashes remain among the most dangerous roadway incidents

Train collisions at railroad crossings are often severe because trains cannot stop quickly and a passenger vehicle has little protection in a direct impact. Even when warning arms and signals are working, drivers can still face deadly consequences if they try to beat an approaching train.

In this case, police said the Jeep apparently went around the lowered arms, a decision that put it directly in the train’s path. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Corsicana Police Department at 903-654-4902.

No names released as investigators seek more information

Police have not said when they expect to release the identities of the two men or whether additional details will be made public soon. For now, the crash remains an active investigation with few confirmed facts beyond the time, location and the fatal outcome.

CBS News Texas said it would provide updates as more information becomes available. Until then, the key unanswered questions include how fast the train was moving, whether the crossing equipment was functioning properly and what led the Jeep to enter the tracks.