UNION MILLS — It was the first day back to school for students at South Central High School after three of their classmates died in a tragic accident.

Counselors met students and staff at the school Monday. The school lost three students this weekend when their car slammed into the side of a train.

The accident happened Saturday morning, just west of the Starke-LaPorte County Line, on South County Road 250 West.

Family members and neighbors say that crossing is especially dangerous and changes need to be made. There is a stop sign there but you can't see whether a train is coming because of the trees on either side.

Some say they can't help but wonder, had there been warning lights and a stop arm would these teens still be alive?

At South Central High School Monday, students signed banners and the lockers of three well-known students, their lives taken too soon.

“We offer our deepest sympathies to the families of Brandon, James and Chans,” said South Central School Corporation Superintendent Chris Smith in a press conference held Monday at the school.

Meanwhile, their families are still trying to understand it.

“He was a good driver ... I don't know,” Russell Garling, Chans’ father, told WSBT News.

Why did 16-year-old Chans Garling crash into a passing freight train Saturday morning?

The freshman football standout was killed along with his two passengers, 15-year-old Brandon Hughes and 14-year-old James Zemanek, all heading home after a Friday night sleep over.

“I wish they'd get lights, at least some kind of warning,” said Chans’ mother Tina Garling.

They do say what neighbors have complained about here for years — the crossing, they claim, is not so easy to see.

“You almost have to pop up over the hill before you actually recognize there's a crossing over here,” Russell Garling said.

There is a stop sign, but no flashing lights or stop arms. Both sides of the road are covered by trees.

“You can't see it,” said neighbor Leslie Metts. “When you're going this way, you have to actually stop and you have to creep up to see what’s going on.”

“Something’s got to be done here, this is crazy,” exclaimed Tina Garling.

Monday the State Department of Transportation told WSBT News that federal funding has already been given to railroad company Norfolk Southern. An improvement project is scheduled for this year, including cross arms, flashing lights and pavement markings.

But a spokesperson for Norfolk Southern said he couldn't confirm that.

“It's just a tragedy that really shouldn't have happened ... it shouldn't have happened,” Tina Garling said.

A spokesperson with Norfolk Southern says he hopes to be able to confirm this improvement project as soon as he finds out.

Stay with WSBT News for the latest on this story.