Indiana Mom Attempts to Outrun Freight Train, Kills 2 Children

[dt3]

FOXNews.com - Police: Indiana Mom Attempts to Outrun Freight Train, Kills 2 Children - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News

An Indiana mom attempted to outrun a freight train at an intersection but didn't see a train approaching from the other direction and crashed, killing two of her children, police said.
Authorities released a video showing Edie Bolanos attempting to outrun an eastbound train in her minivan by cutting through a parking lot and making a quick turn.
"It seemed that she [Edie Bolanos] was so intent on beating the eastbound train, she never even saw the westbound train that hit her," Hammond Police Sgt. Michael Jorden said.
Two of Bolanos' children, Crystal, 11, and Anahi, 8, were ejected from the van and pronounced dead at the scene. The other two children in the van were in stable condition.
Click here to read the report from the Northwest Indiana Times.
"My heart goes out to the family," said Hammond Police Chief Brian Miller. "My only hope with the release of this [video] is that other people will learn a lesson, and maybe we can avoid another tragedy in the future."
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The 65-second video from the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District shows Edie Bolanos turning her minivan into a parking lot, racing east and making a quick turn to get across the tracks.
Click here to watch the video.
The van does not appear to slow down as it approaches the tracks, according to the video. The westbound train struck the driver's side, pushing it into the eastbound train at 9:49 a.m. Saturday.
Bolanos remained in critical condition Thursday at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago.

Jesus.

 

[JuJu]

Why the hell do folks wanna outrun trains? :confused
One would think she'd have been extra cautious with kids in the car. :mad

 

[dt3]

Fucking stupid.

 

[GraceAbounds]

I don't know what to say. This is just horrible.

 

[dt3]

I'm one of the most impatient people on earth, but I've never tried to beat a train. And why the hell would you do it with your kids in the car???

The article didn't say anything about it, but can she be tried for manslaughter?

 

[groundpounder]

That is so so sad.
I doubt the mother will be tried for manslaughter. Maybe criminal negligence. I don't think the authorities can pile it on her much more than she already has it or will have it as clearly her intent was not to harm.
But boy, did she.
I cannot imagine!

 

[IntruderLS1]

Four kids in the car, and shes gonna beat a train to save 2 minutes.

So sad.

 

[Charmer]

Yes, her intent was not to harm her kids or herself, but she should still be aware of the deadly consequences if she didn't beat the train....as she found out. At least I think like that when I'm driving my car.

 

[TheOriginalJames]

Why the hell do folks wanna outrun trains? :confused
One would think she'd have been extra cautious with kids in the car. :mad

I can sort of sympathize with the woman. My city is crisscrossed by tracks and it gets really annoying when you get stopped by a train which then stops and holds you up anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour.

BUT... with her children in the car she should have just waited. It looks like she was from the Gary/South Bend/Hammond area, which is up northwest by Chicago.

If I see lights on I will stop. It's not worth the risk.

Four kids in the car, and shes gonna beat a train to save 2 minutes.

So sad.

While I agree with the sentiments, 2 minutes is a severe understatement.

3 years ago I ran my car out of gas waiting for 40 minutes for a STOPPED train. Took another 25 minutes before it finally started moving again.

65 minutes waiting.

 

[ccsraj]

It is a very sad incidence.

 

[All Else Failed]

I can sort of sympathize with the woman. My city is crisscrossed by tracks and it gets really annoying when you get stopped by a train which then stops and holds you up anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour.

BUT... with her children in the car she should have just waited. It looks like she was from the Gary/South Bend/Hammond area, which is up northwest by Chicago.

If I see lights on I will stop. It's not worth the risk.



While I agree with the sentiments, 2 minutes is a severe understatement.

3 years ago I ran my car out of gas waiting for 40 minutes for a STOPPED train. Took another 25 minutes before it finally started moving again.

65 minutes waiting.[/quote]


Yeah but

Waiting > death

 

[TheOriginalJames]

I'm not disagreeing with that, she was too stupid to realize that getting there late is better than not getting there.

 

[Ria]

I would never take that chance with my son, no way.

That's horrific and yes, she will be so tormented by it for the rest of her life.