GULFPORT, MS
A woman died after the car she was driving was struck by a
CSX freight train in Gulfport Wednesday night, Harrison County Deputy
Coroner Brian Switzer said.
Switzer identified the woman as 55-year-old Kathy Paglia of Gulfport.
The accident occurred about 11:15 p.m. at the railroad crossing on Texas Avenue, about two blocks north of U.S. 90.
The victim was the only occupant in the vehicle, a Pontiac G6. The Pontiac was destroyed in the crash.
Paglia was pronounced dead on the scene.
The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head and chest, Switzer said.
He said Paglia did not appear to be wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
Officers
secured a large perimeter around Texas Avenue and Railroad Street as
debris from the wreckage was scattered across the scene. Firefighters
and police remained there for several hours late Wednesday into early
Thursday morning.
It's unclear whether her vehicle stalled on the
tracks or if she couldn't make the crossing in time. The accident
remains under investigation.
CSX officials on the scene would not comment on the incident.