A quiet Wednesday night in Gary, Indiana turned deadly when a South Shore commuter train collided with an SUV at a rail crossing just west of the Miller station. Five young people were killed instantly—ejected from their vehicle in a crash that has left the city stunned and investigators combing through wreckage and witness accounts.

According to officials, the SUV went around a lowered crossing arm before being struck by an eastbound train near the intersection of U.S. 12/20 and 7th Avenue around 10 p.m.

A single address, five names, one devastating loss

On Thursday, authorities identified the victims—all of whom lived at the same address in Gary.

• De’Mario Craig, 24

• Byron Towns, 21

• Latianna King, 20

• Maurice Parrish, 20

• Sherise Parrish, 20

Officials say all five were ejected from the SUV on impact. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

No one on the South Shore Line’s Train #133 was hurt. Not the passengers. Not the crew. Just five young adults in the wrong place at the wrong time—taking a risk that turned catastrophic.

What happened that night?

Preliminary details point to an SUV traveling southbound, approaching the railroad crossing where warning lights were flashing and the crossing gate was fully lowered.

Witnesses reported seeing the SUV maneuver around the gate in an apparent attempt to beat the oncoming train.

But the train didn’t slow. It couldn’t. It struck the SUV with such force that the vehicle was crushed and mangled beyond recognition, its occupants thrown from the wreck.

Gary Police and emergency services responded within minutes, but there was little they could do.

A moment’s decision with irreversible consequences

Investigators are still piecing together why the driver decided to go around the barrier. There’s no indication of mechanical failure. No suggestion the gate malfunctioned.

“It was fully operational,” one official said.

And yet, it’s a scenario first responders say they’ve seen too many times before.

South Shore Line issued a public statement shortly after the crash:

“Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this tragic incident. We remind everyone to never attempt to cross railroad tracks when signals are activated, and to always expect a train on any track from any direction at any time.”

Remembering the victims

Little has been released yet about the lives of the five who died—just names and ages. But neighbors described them as “always together.” Friends. Siblings. Cousins. Roommates. Some working. Some in school. All of them young.

“They were just kids,” one local resident said. “Always laughing, hanging out in front of the house. This is beyond tragic.”

Community left shaken, rails halted

Following the crash, South Shore trains were suspended in both directions for several hours. Crews cleared the debris. Investigators mapped the scene. And families were notified.

Here’s a look at the sequence of events after the collision:

Even as rail service resumed by early morning, the emotional shock lingered. Residents and officials say the city hasn’t experienced a fatal crash of this scale involving a train in years.

Rail safety under renewed scrutiny

Railway crossings remain one of the deadliest spots on American roads. According to the Federal Railroad Administration, there were more than 2,100 highway-rail grade crossing incidents in 2024, leading to 274 fatalities. Most were preventable.

And the key word in many reports? “Circumvented.”

Drivers bypassing crossing gates account for a large percentage of these fatal encounters.

“The train doesn’t stop quickly,” said a local law enforcement officer. “People underestimate how fast it’s coming and how long it takes to slow down.”

South Shore Line trains, which operate between Chicago and South Bend, are especially fast-moving at that section of track. With multiple warning systems in place—including lights, bells, and gates—the responsibility often falls on drivers to obey them.

A moment of silence, and many more questions

By Thursday evening, a small memorial had appeared near the crash site. Flowers. Candles. A photo of a smiling young man taped to a post. A message scrawled in marker: We love you forever.

Five lives gone in seconds. No second chances. No do-overs.

Just flashing lights, a train on schedule, and a city left grieving.