Man identified in fatal truck, train crash near Ryan

UPDATE: A man was killed Wednesday morning when the pickup he was driving was struck by a pair of train engines at a private crossing southwest of Ryan.

Authorities have identified the victim as Kenneth Elmer Sweet, 68, of Ryan Iowa.

An Iowa State Patrol crash report notes that Sweet was wearing his seat belt when he truck was struck by the train on the passenger side.

Delaware County Sheriff John Le Clere said the accident happened about 7:30 a.m. as the pickup driver was leaving his rural residence just east of 150th Avenue. The southbound CN Railroad engines struck the passenger side door of the westbound pickup, Le Clere said.

Iowa State Patrol technical investigator Jon Stickney said there was nothing unusual about the accident. Warning signs and flashers are not required at private crossings, and trains are not required to sound a warning whistle at private crossings, he said.

Based on the fact that the engines came to a complete stop within 400 feet of the crossing, Stickney estimated that they were traveling no more than 25 mph.

CN Railroad personnel on the scene declined to comment on the accident.

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