8-5-03 - Two people were killed late Wednesday night when a freight train collided with two vehicles north of Ardmore.

At 9pm, Oklahoma Highway Patrol says two cars collided head-on at a railroad crossing just outside of Gene Autry at highway 53, near the entrance to the Ardmore Airpark. Shortly after, a train passing by crushed one of the cars with two people inside.

Hiawthia Ann Vaughn, 39, and 46 year old Eddie Ray Hill of Ardmore died on the scene. Troopers believe their car drifted across the center line on Highway 53 and struck another vehicle head on at the railroad crossing. Vaughn and Hill remained in their vehicle when it was hit by a north-bound Burlington Northern Sante Fe Train.

A woman and two children were in the other vehicle. Thirty four year old Karen Lee Willis, also from Ardmore, was taken to Mercy Memorial Hospital where she was treated and released overnight. Two boys, ages 10 and 11, were taken to the hospital with internal and arm injuries.

The conductor of the train was not hurt.

Troopers are investigating whether alcohol was involved in the accident.