LUFKIN, Feb. 9, 2012—The Lufkin Police Department is investigating a collision that occurred between an automobile and a locomotive around 4:40 a.m. on Wednesday morning.
 
Lufkin Police and Fire Dispatch Center received a report that a Pontiac Grand AM was struck by a train at a railroad crossing located in the 3400 block of Southwood Drive in Lufkin.
 
Preliminary information indicates that the driver or the Pontiac, Kaleb Drew Rye, 27, disregarded the railroad crossing arms and signals at the crossing and the locomotive’s horn. The engine of the locomotive struck the driver’s side of Rye’s vehicle; killing Rye and carrying his vehicle approximately two-tenths of a mile from the crossing.
 
Due to the damage to and resting place of the vehicle, investigators were not able to verify Rye’s identity immediately. A railroad crane moved the vehicle to the roadway side of the railroad tracks where emergency services workers were able to access it and extricate Rye.
 
Samples of Rye’s blood were collected for analysis.
 
An investigation into the crash continues by Lufkin Police.