4 Dead After Train Hits Minivan at Crossing

A freight train smashed into a minivan at a crossing that lacked lights or gates, killing all four people in the vehicle, authorities said.

The minivan’s driver was apparently trying to cut through a highway construction area to get to Columbus when the vehicle was hit by the train and pushed about a mile down the tracks, authorities said. The train was traveling about 60 mph.

The four victims -- two women and two men -- were believed to be from southeastern Wisconsin, police said.

The 39-car Canadian Pacific Railway freight train was traveling from Chicago to St. Paul, Minn., with consumer goods on board when the accident occurred, railway spokeswoman Laura Baenen said.