WABBASEKA, Ark. (KTHV) - Two people have died and another person is injured after an accident involving a train in Wabbaseka.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, the train was heading north when it collided with a blue Chevrolet Cruze near Garrett Road. The train pushed the car 1,537 feet before coming to a stop near the railroad crossing at Paw-Paw Road.
“It doesn't look like alcohol was a cause in the accident. It appears to be inattentive driving,” said Lafayette Woods with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.
The driver, Genesis Dendy, has been airlifted to the hospital and is in critical condition. The two passengers, 27-year-old Shamri Cole-Cox and 28-year-old Talisa Cannon, died in the accident.
In February 2016, 86-year-old Betty Jeter was killed after a train collision in the same location.
Then later that year in October, a train collided with the vehicle of 46-year-old Albert J. Gornatti in Wabbaseka. He was killed during the accident.
People living in the area said this intersection is so dangerous because the crossing doesn't have warning arms, just a stop sign on both sides. THV11 talked to one person who saw the whole thing unfold. He said he and his friend held an umbrella over the driver until medical help got on scene.
“I said hold it over that girl and don't let the sun get on her,” the witness said.
The sheriff’s department said they will look into seeing what they can do to get better warning signals at the railroad crossing.