A Syracuse man has died after a vehicle versus train accident in northeast Kosciusko County. Photo provided by the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office.

Press Release

SYRACUSE — A Syracuse man has died after a vehicle versus train accident on Bishop Road in northeast Kosciusko County.

Kosciusko County 911 Emergency Dispatch Center dispatched county deputies and emergency personnel to the accident at 12:59 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28. Emergency personnel arrived on scene and located a 2005 Toyota Sequoia SUV had been hit by a westbound CSX train. Preliminary investigation determined the Toyota was stopped on the CSX railroad tracks for an unknown reason and was hit by the westbound train. The impact pushed the vehicle about 0.7 miles west of the collision. The railroad intersection emergency lights were activated and the stop arm gates were in the down position at the time of the accident.

The Sequoia’s driver, Stephen D. Schmahl, 55, Syracuse, was pronounced deceased at the scene by Kosciusko County Coroner Tyler Huffer as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. Schmahl was the only vehicle’s occupant.

The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Turkey Creek Fire Territory, Syracuse Police Department, Kosciusko County 911 Dispatch Center, Crouse Wrecker Service, and the Kosciusko County Coroner’s Office.

The crash remains under investigation by the KCSO FACT Team.