(Portland, Tennessee – November 22, 2024)
A Portland motorist was killed last Friday, November 22, 2024, around 12:30 pm after her vehicle was struck by a CSX freight train. The collision occurred at the CSX Crossing on Butler Road, just south of Portland.
The Highland Volunteer Fire Department identified the victim as 66-year-old Shirley Hollan. She was pronounced deceased at the scene. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Ms. Hollan was driving a 2011 Ford Explorer north on Butler Road when she attempted to cross the railroad tracks. An eastbound train was approaching, struck her vehicle, overturned the vehicle, and it eventually came to rest in a ditch facing south.
According to CSX submitted records, the railroad crossing where this collision took place sees a daily average of 10 trains traveling at speeds up to 60 miles per hour. There has been at least one prior collision at this crossing that injured another motorist. While the CSX crossing is equipped with lights, it is not known if they were properly functioning at the time of the collision. The crossing is also heavily skewed, potentially affecting the ability of a motorist to see any misaligned warning lights or an oncoming train.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is still investigating this collision.
