Terre Haute man dead in crash with train, woman hospitalized

VCSO photo

By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

A Terre Haute man is dead after being ejected from the vehicle he was driving this morning in a crash with a train in northern Vigo County. A passenger in the white Chevrolet pick-up truck was seriously injured in the crash.

Jack Cheesman, 54, of Terre Haute was pronounced dead at the scene by the Vigo County Coroner’s Office. 

According to a Vigo County Sheriff's Office report, passenger Rachel Camp, 26, also from Terre Haute had to be extricated by Nevins Fire Department.  She was transported to a local hospital to be treated for serious injuries and later transferred to Methodist hospital in Indianapolis where she is listed in critical condition.
 
Deputies responded to a vehicle/train crash just after 5 a.m.

Sheriff Greg Ewing explained that the pick-up was traveling southwest on Gallagher Road at an excessive speed in an attempt to beat the train to the next crossing. 

"Cheesman disregarded all warning devices and was struck by the southwest train," Ewing said, noting an autopsy will be performed today and lab results are pending.