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Two women killed in Polk train-minivan crash; driver may have been impaired

Highway 98 is closed in both directions between West Frostproof Road and US 27 in Frostproof.
Credit: WTSP
Two people are dead after a Friday morning crash involving a train and minivan, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

FROSTPROOF, Fla. – Two people are dead after an early morning crash involving a train and minivan, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

The sheriff's office said the crash happened around 3:05 a.m. Friday at US 98 West near Western Avenue.

According to deputies, a 2012 Dodge Caravan driven by Emily Moncrief, 23, of Avon Park, was eastbound on U.S.Highway 98 when it hit the crossing bar before striking the 27th car of the train.

Moncrief and her passenger, Lindsay Serey, 23, of Sebring, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Deputies say impairment may have been a factor.

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The engineer, Jason Sines, 42, of Lakeland, was not hurt.

According to CSX, the train was on its way from Miami to Waycross, Georgia. Two empty railcars derailed, but the train crew was unhurt.

"Safety is our top priority as we work to restore the site and resume operations," CSX wrote in a statement. "CSX appreciates the swift response by Polk County emergency personnel and extends its thoughts to those impacted by this tragic event."

The investigation is ongoing.

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