Longtime Grayson County High School teacher killed after being hit by train at crossing with no warning lights or crossbar

A longtime Grayson County High School teacher lost her life Friday afternoon after she was hit by a train.

At approximately 4:05, the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office, Leitchfield Fire Department and EMS responded to the railroad tracks on Blackrock Drive on the report of a train versus car accident.

Upon arriving on the scene, GCSO Sgt. Fred Norder found that a Honda Accord, being driven by 63-year-old Phyllis Minton, of Leitchfield, was crossing the tracks as she traveled north on Blackrock Drive. As Minton reached the railroad tracks, an eastbound P&L train struck the vehicle on the driver’s side door, spinning the vehicle off the tracks.

Minton was pronounced dead at the scene by Grayson County Coroner Joe Brad Hudson. Her remains were transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Louisville for autopsy.

It should be noted that the railroad crossing where this incident occurred has no warning lights or crossbar. Additionally, the northbound crossing approach is at an uphill 42- to 45-degree angle, with a clump of trees blocking a view of the tracks until the driver is nearly upon the crossing.

At the time of the accident, the sun would have been shining into the eyes of anyone near the tracks and looking west.

(Headline photo: The scene at Blackrock Drive)