82-year-old Waukesha man killed in Mukwonago train crash

MUKWONAGO, Wis. (CBS 58) -- An 82-year-old Waukesha man is dead after his car hit a train going southbound in the Village of Mukwonago.

Police and emergency crews responded Friday, Oct. 3 to a crash involving a train and a car near Bayview and Main in Mukwonago around 9:30 in the morning.

It was a somber start to Friday as residents stopped in the parking lot to watch something they'd never seen before.

"It’s just so sad," said Karen Donohoue, a Mukwonago resident. “Was on my way to Walmart and I just saw everything taped off. Like usually it’s so safe. You know, I mean look at it. How can it not be?"

Donohoue has lived in the area for nearly 30 years. She says despite the no train horn sign, other precautions have kept this train crossing secure. 

“This train runs many times a day and the tracks are very close to homes right in the heart of the downtown," said Donohoue. “All those middle strips, those were just put up in the last few years.”

Police tape blocked off the intersection, and officers along with fire personnel remained on scene for more than two hours.

“Heartbroken for the family. For the person in the truck. I mean it’s devastating," said Katherine Schoof, a Mukwonago resident. “I mean, when the train comes, arms come down and you stop. You wait. You don’t try to beat the train,” said Mukwonago resident Katherine Schoof.

The name of the victim has not been released. Police say this is an ongoing investigation.