6 Teen-Agers Die When Car Collides With Freight Train
A freight train collided with a car full of teen-agers apparently trying to beat it across tracks at a rural crossing Saturday. All six youths were killed.
The Burlington Northern train was heading north at 43 m.p.h. when it collided with the two-door Volvo sedan. The car rolled and burst into flames, state Highway Patrol spokesman Scott Nathlich said.
The Douglas County coroner’s office identified the victims as: the driver, Nathan Gladwin, 17; Tom Maestes, 17; Mike DeBoo, 17; Mike Budinger, age not available; Tera Relfschneider, 16, and Bev Linton, 15. All were from Littleton, Colo., about 20 miles south of Denver.
No one aboard the train was injured.
Authorities don’t know how fast the car was traveling. The teen-agers apparently were trying to beat the train to the crossing.
Nathlich said alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.
The crossing did not have guard gates, but Nathlich said flashing red warning lights were going off at the time of the crash.
Authorities were investigating whether the youths were at a party shortly before the midnight accident.
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