HUDSON TOWNSHIP, Mackinac County, MI, Sept. 29, 2026 — A Newberry man and a juvenile passenger were hurt Saturday morning, September 26, when the pickup truck they were riding in collided with a train at a rail crossing in Hudson Township. Both suffered injuries described as non-life-threatening.
The Michigan State Police Eighth District said troopers from the St. Ignace Post responded around 9:35 a.m. to the crossing on Borgstrom Road near Black River Road. The stretch was treated as an active scene for much of the morning, and drivers were asked to find alternate routes while crews worked.
A preliminary investigation indicates the pickup driver disregarded a traffic control device at the crossing and did not yield to the oncoming train, according to a release from Lt. Ben Eckola. The 34-year-old driver and the juvenile passenger were taken by EMS to Helen Newberry Joy Hospital for treatment. The train crew was not hurt.
Investigators say drugs and alcohol are not believed to have played a role in the crash. The case remains open as police finish their review.
Multiple agencies helped state police at the scene, including the Mackinac County Sheriff's Office, Hendricks Township Fire Department, Hudson Township Fire Department, Garfield Township Fire and EMS, Luce County EMS, and Chippewa County Central Dispatch.
We hope those who were hurt recover fully and quickly.
How Investigators Piece Together a Train Crossing Crash
Troopers first have to secure the scene, document skid marks, signal timing, and vehicle positions, and often wait for the rail company to confirm data pulled from the train's event recorder before drawing conclusions about speed or signal activation.
Because a moving train cannot simply stop and wait, crews also have to coordinate with the railroad to clear the tracks safely before a full reconstruction can happen. That coordination, plus interviews with the driver, passengers, and the train crew, can stretch the timeline well beyond the day of the crash.
Toxicology screening, when ordered, typically takes lab turnaround of several weeks. A final written report combining all of that, the physical evidence, witness statements, and any citations, often is not complete until well after the initial release naming a preliminary cause.
According to the Federal Railroad Administration, highway-rail grade-crossing incidents resulted in 4,486 injuries from 2017 through 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
What injuries are common in vehicle-train collisions?
Occupants often suffer fractures, head and neck injuries, and internal injuries from the force of impact, even in crashes described as non-life-threatening. Severity depends heavily on the vehicle's speed and where it is struck.
What usually causes a crash at a railroad crossing?
Common factors include a driver misjudging a train's speed or distance, failing to stop for gates or lights, or attempting to beat the train through the crossing. Distraction and unfamiliarity with a crossing also play a role.
Does speed change the outcome of a crossing crash?
Yes. Higher speed leaves less time to stop or react and increases the force transferred to occupants on impact, which raises the likelihood of serious injury.
What to Do After a Train Crossing Crash in Hudson Township, Michigan
If you are involved in or witness a crash at a rail crossing, get to a safe distance from the tracks first, since trains cannot stop quickly and additional trains may use the same line. Call 911 immediately and let dispatchers know a train is or was involved so responders can alert the railroad.
Anyone in the vehicle should be checked by medical staff even if injuries seem minor, since some symptoms show up hours later. Keep a record of the responding agencies and any case number provided, as reports on incidents like this can take time to finalize.
