Driver Killed in Jasper County Train Accident
The Jasper County Sheriff identified the driver as Carl Benskin, 43, of rural Laurel, who died in a crash at a railroad crossing northeast of Newton.
Carl Benskin, 43, of rural Laurel, was killed in a train crash at the Iowa Interstate Railroad crossing at County Highway T-12 N in Jasper County on November 10, according to the Jasper County Sheriff's Office.
The Early Afternoon Crash Near Newton
The sheriff's office said a call reporting a crash between a vehicle and a locomotive reached the Jasper County Communications Center at about 1:40 p.m. The crossing sits near the meeting of North 39th Avenue East and County Highway T-12 N, just northeast of Newton. Officials said responders found that Benskin had been thrown from his 1998 Chevrolet Malibu and was partly trapped beneath it. Crews performed life-saving measures, but the sheriff's office said Benskin was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to an Iowa State Patrol crash report, the Malibu was headed south on the highway while the train traveled east. He was the only person in the car, and no other injuries were reported. Officials said the person running the locomotive was uninjured.
Where the Iowa State Patrol Investigation Stands
Investigators from the Iowa State Patrol are working the case, with help from the Jasper County Sheriff's Office, the Jasper County Medical Examiner's Office, and the Newton fire and police departments. No charges have been announced. The sheriff's office said the roadway was closed during the investigation and has since reopened.
Rail crashes can involve several agencies at once, including local police, the railroad's own investigators and federal safety officials. Each may share information on its own schedule.
Candice Bond· Bond LegalFrom an earlier interview. General commentary, not about this crash, and not legal advice. The contributor may not be licensed in your state.Sources
- westerniowatoday.com, “Laurel Man Killed in Jasper County Train Collision”
- weareiowa.com, “Man dead after train, car crash in Jasper County”
- who13.com, “Multiple agencies investigate fatal car crash involving locomotive in Jasper County”
- who13.com, “More information about fatal train crash in Jasper County released”
Lost someone in a crash like this?
Here is what families in Iowa usually need, in the order it comes up.
Death certificates. The funeral home or the family can order them, and banks and insurers each usually want a copy.
Crash report. The crash report is usually ready a few weeks after the crash, and you can still get it later.
Funeral costs. Every state has a victim fund that pays funeral costs after some crashes, and the fund decides who qualifies.
Survivor payments. If the person who died had worked, their spouse or children may get monthly Social Security payments. Applying early matters.
Insurance offer. You can turn down the insurer's first offer and ask for more.
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