Lakota, IA (July 16, 2026) – Two teens were hurt on Tuesday afternoon, July 14, after a car collided with a train at a railroad crossing on a gravel road in the northeast corner of Lakota.
The two-vehicle crash was reported shortly before 4 p.m., after a 2004 Chevrolet Impala traveling south on 190th Avenue entered a railroad crossing and struck an eastbound train. Emergency units arrived and found the car had caught fire following the collision.
According to the initial report, a passerby identified as Alex Horak of Lakota witnessed what happened and rushed to help. He pulled both occupants from the vehicle moments before it became fully engulfed in flames.
The people inside the car, a 16-year-old boy and a 12-year-old boy, were taken to a hospital in Minnesota with head and upper-body injuries.
Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the collision, and additional information may be released as the review progresses.
We hope both teens make a full and speedy recovery.
Why Railroad Crossing Safety Matters
Railroad crossings require drivers to stay alert because trains cannot stop quickly once they are moving. Warning signs, flashing lights, gates, and pavement markings are designed to help motorists recognize when it is unsafe to cross the tracks. Drivers should always slow down as they approach a crossing, obey all warning devices, and never attempt to drive around lowered gates.
Even if a train seems far away, its speed and distance can be difficult to judge. Visibility may also be limited by weather, vegetation, or nearby structures. Taking a few extra moments to look carefully in both directions and waiting until the tracks are completely clear can greatly reduce the risk of a serious train-related collision.
