LAPORTE COUNTY — Three high school students died when their truck collided with a train. The accident happened around 6:45 (CDT) Saturday morning on County Road 250 West, near Hanna in LaPorte County.

The victims have been identifed as 16-year-old Chans Garling, 15-year-old Brandon Hughes and 14-year-old James Zemanek. All are from Hanna.

"Evidently they didn't see or hear the train approaching," said Sheriff Mike Mollenhauer.

The front cab of the pickup shows the violent impact of the crash when the truck hit the train.

Two teenagers died instantly and a third died at the hospital. They were all students at South Central High School in Union Mills.

Joe Morreale lives near the tracks and knew something was wrong when he heard a helicopter fly over his home.

"I think it's horrible, especially for teenagers. It's a really sad day for our area," said Morreale.

News of the accident spread quickly in the town of Union Mills.

South Central sophomore Lucas Scarborough heard about the crash in Saturday school, he knows at least one of the victims.

"When we were in class, we always talked fooled around, we all had classes together. I don't know it will be pretty hard. I just hope it wasn't them," said Scarborough.

It will be a hard day for students when they return to school on Monday and a sad reminder about the dangers around train tracks.

"All crossings are dangerous even if they have lights and gates you know you still have to use caution," said Sheriff Mollenhauer.

Investigators say the engineer of the train had not been drinking prior to the accident. Toxicology results on the victim believed to be the driver are pending.

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