LAWTON, MI (WTVB) – A Bronson High School senior was killed Tuesday night when his pick-up truck was struck by an Amtrak train in Van Buren County just east of Lawton.
The fatal victim was identified as 17-year-old Tyler Wirtz. Lawton Police Chief Jeffrey Mack says his F-150 pickup truck was apparently stuck on the tracks near the Nursery Street Crossing when the train came through at about 7:15 p.m.
The pick-up was reportedly pushed along the tracks for some distance before the train was able to stop, with vehicle parts scattered for some distance along the tracks.
Wirtz was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Bronson School Superintendent Rick Hilderley says Wirtz was a member of the high school bowling team and he calls his death devastating. Counseling has been made available as staff members help students deal with the tragedy right before Christmas.
Bronson’s bowling team was scheduled to face Kalamazoo Christian Wednesday afternoon. That match was cancelled because of the accident.
None of the 215 passengers on board the Blue Water Line were injured. The train was coming out of Chicago and headed for stops across Michigan. The collision stalled the trip for those passengers, and two trains on the Wolverine line that ran later last evening. Most completed their trips on board buses brought in by Amtrak.
