5 dead, 1 hospitalized after train vs. vehicle collision near Trinidad

Colorado State Patrol has confirmed that five people were killed and one injured in a train vs. vehicle collision just outside Trinidad on Sunday.

Family members told KRDO NewsChannel 13 that Steve Miller, his wife Christina, and three of their girls died Sunday morning. The girls were ages 6 years, 2 years and 8 months. The couple’s second oldest daughter survived. The four-year-old was flown to a Denver hospital with serious injuries.

According to an Amtrak spokesperson, the accident happened at 9:45 a.m. The couple’s2005 Chrysler Town and Country was reportedly blocking the tracks when the train was traveling through. State Patrol said that the van was headed northbound on Las Animas County Road 32 and failed to yield for the train. It said the vehicle was not stopped on the tracks when the train hit it.

The crossing is marked with signs but doesn’t have gates to stop vehicles.

The Colorado Department of Transportation says safety improvements are in the works for the crossing, but not yet finalized. The proposed improvements include gates and warning signals.

Family told KRDO that the family was on their way to church when the accident happened. A family member said the parent’s did not have a will.

There were 286 passengers on the train. None were injured.

Officials do not believe alcohol or drug use played a factor into this incident.

The family started an online fundraiser to raise money for funeral arrangement