By Associated Press - Thursday, September 4, 2014

BOX ELDER, S.D. (AP) - A western South Dakota woman is dead after her vehicle and a train collided.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol says 52-year-old Monica Westin drove in front of an oncoming train at a railroad crossing in Box Elder. The train struck Westin’s 2003 Oldsmobile Alero in the driver’s side rear door, dragged the vehicle for a short distance and then pushed it into a field.

Authorities say the Box Elder woman was thrown from the vehicle during the crash. Westin was wearing a seatbelt. She was pronounced dead at the scene.



The Patrol says the incident is under investigation.

Copyright © 2026 The Washington Times, LLC.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.