Stepfather pushes for railroad crossing arms after teens' deaths - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

A vigil was held Monday night for two teenagers killed at a railroad crossing in rural Indiana.

The two were killed when their car crashed into a moving train at a crossing where there were lights but no crossing arms.

Seventeen-year-olds Kristin Kiser and Amber Morrow were both students here at Monroe-Central High School. School was delayed Monday and grief counselors were brought in for students. All after school activities were canceled for Monday evening, and many gathered inside the high school gym to lean on each other during a difficult time.

One of the victims' parents is speaking out in the hope of protecting others across Indiana.

"That train is very eerie. It's tough to hear trains now," said Josh Springman, who held a photo of his stepson, Kristin Kiser.

"Kristin was an awesome kid. He made everyone laugh. You couldn't be mad at him," said Springman.

The senior football player was killed Sunday when he and two friends, 17-year-old Amber Morrow and 18-year-old Josh Ponder crossed the train tracks in downtown Farmland. It was 2:30 in the morning. The train was traveling nearly 60 miles per hour, and for some reason, Kristin didn't stop the car. He and Amber died instantly.

"No idea why they did not stop. They drove right through the red flashing lights and the train horn blowing and they hit the side of the train," said Melvin Nott, Farmland town marshal.

Dozens of trains come through the small town every day. There are three railroad intersections, but only one of them has crossing gates. Sunday's tragedy is opening up the conversation.

"It's almost 2013. We have $600 cell phones, but we can't get rails that come down in front of the train," said Springman.

The stepfather says he's on a mission to add crossing gates at all railroad intersections in Farmland. Since more than half of the 5,800 railroad crossings in Indiana do not have gates, he thinks every Hoosier community should join his fight.

"Not to say that it would have saved their lives or deter someone from doing something, but it would make more awareness," said Springman.

Josh Ponder is at a Dayton Hospital. He only broke his arm after the car hit that train.

There's a fundraiser planned for the teens Tuesday night at Parker's City Family Diner. The chili supper will be held Tuesday from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the Main St diner. All of the proceeds will go to the families.

Donations are also being accepted for burial services. Make your check out to the Walker Funeral Home and send to Donna Hunt, 278 S. 1000 W. Farmland, IN 47340. Call her at 765-717-0114 for more information.

Operation Lifesaver - Read more about the efforts to bring crossing arms to railroad intersections.