Birmingham’s quiet early morning was shattered around 1:46 a.m. Friday, when a freight train struck a minivan that had gone around a lowered railroad crossing arm, killing two Birmingham women and injuring several children. The collision happened in the 1000 block of 24th Street SW, leaving neighbors stunned and first responders scrambling through the cold night.
Carolyn Elaine Berry, 47, died at the scene, emergency officials confirmed. Her body was found near the wreckage of the badly crushed minivan, a grim reminder of how fragile life can be at rail crossings. Just minutes earlier, Aldereka Laqulla Ikes, 36, had been pulled from the same vehicle and rushed to UAB Hospital in serious condition. Medical workers fought to save her, but at 2:34 a.m., she was pronounced dead.
The minivan was carrying six people when it approached the railroad crossing. Investigators say the driver deliberately drove around the lowered crossing arm — a barrier meant to keep vehicles off tracks when trains are approaching. With the train barreling down the rails, there was no time to stop or swerve.
Four juveniles were also in the vehicle. Three were taken to Children’s of Alabama Hospital by Birmingham Fire and Rescue crews. Officials have not released details about their conditions, but rescue workers described chaotic scenes as they loaded the injured children into ambulances under flashing lights.
Police spokesman Sgt. Darrin Manning said investigators are scrutinizing the moments leading up to the crash, including why the crossing arm was ignored. They have not yet said whether speed, distraction, weather, or other factors played a role. Birmingham Police continue to gather statements and review surveillance near the crossing.
Neighbors who live near the crossing say they’ve long worried about safety there. Some have seen vehicles try to beat trains before, especially in dark hours when headlights fade and crossings seem quiet. Friday’s tragedy, they said, was a nightmare they never thought could hit so close to home.
Rail officials remind drivers that trains cannot stop quickly — even when highway signals flash and bells clamor. A train approaching normal city speeds can take more than a mile to brake once the engineer sees danger ahead. Ignoring crossing signals, they stress, puts lives at risk.
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