Identities Released in Train-Car Fatalities

Alabama Alabama State Troopers Alabama State Troopers say two dead are from Citronelle.

by Steve Alexander

Published: Tue, September 30, 2008 - 8:28 pm CST Last Updated: Mon, November 17, 2008 - 4:42 pm CST

Alabama state troopers have released the names of the two people killed and one person hurt in that train car collision in Washington County Tuesday afternoon.
They identify the dead as the driver, 55 year old June Weaver of Citronelle, and 26 year old Jennifer Weaver, also of Citronelle.
Troopers say another passenger, Lora Head, was taken to USA Medical Center where she's in serious condition.
The accident happened Tuesday afternoon on Bates Lake Road near Highway 43 in the community of Malcolm.
Norman Tarver said he heard the train whistle while he was inside the Cater Jenkins General Store, right at the crossing where the accident happened.
Tarver said, "When I came in, across the track, I heard that train coming, and I was in the store, and I came out and that car was....."
Tarver just shook his head.
Washington County's Sheriff Richard Stringer said the train struck the car on the driver's side.
He said, "I've spoken to one witness and she said that the car that got struck by the train was apparently not looking. They got on the track, saw the train and stopped, so the train immediately hit them."
Sheriff Stringer said the driver and a passenger in the front seat, later identified as June Weaver and Jennifer Weaver, were killed.
Friends and relatives rushed to the scene, comforting each other, relaying information by cell phone.
Sheriff Stringer said, "Its terrible in your county or in any county that you have a tragedy like this. You know they have families. The family gets very emotional. I would, too. They've just lost two loved ones."
The crossing does have a stop sign, but it does not have signal lights or crossing guards.
The sheriff said this is the first accident he's heard of at the crossing.
But Norman Tarver will never forget what he saw.
He said, "I have seen everything in my life, man, but you don't ever get used to it."
Firefighters from Fairford, Mount Vernon and McIntosh were on the scene.

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