Preventable Crash?

Crash Train Crash  The family of a mother and daughter killed in a train crash wonder if the accident could have been prevented.
by Jessica Taloney
Published: Wed, October 01, 2008 - 7:15 pm CST Last Updated: Wed, October 01, 2008 - 7:54 pm CST
June Weaver and her 26-year-old daughter were inseparable.

"They come as a pair," says Hope Byrd, June's sister-in-law. "Jen was handicap. She was a grown woman, but she still had the mind of a baby."

Jennifer Weaver attended a year-round special needs school in Chatom, and each day her mom drove her to catch a bus. It was the same routine they shared for the last six years, until it tragically ended Tuesday.

"She didn't see the train until it was too late," says Keith Jordan, June's brother. "She probably got out there and hit the brake instead of the gas petal, and it was too late probably."

June, 55, and Jennifer, both of Citronelle, died instantly when a train crashed into their car. The crash happened on Bates Lake Road near Highway 43 in the Malcolm Community. A passenger in the backseat, Lora Head, was critically injured and airlifted to USA Medical Center.

The crossing where the crash happened has a stop sign but no crossing gate and no signal lights. Family members will never know if this crash could have been prevented, but they don't want another family to grieve like they are.

"Anywhere a train crosses that a car could go it should be a crossing gate," says Byrd.

Alabama State Troopers are investigating the crash.

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