A collision

between a minivan and a train in Tyrone Tuesday night has claimed the

lives of a 6-year-old Tyrone boy and a 22-year-old Morrow man.

The boy was

identified as Tyler Douglas Whitfield, Tyrone Police Chief Roger Spencer

said Thursday morning. The driver of the vehicle, who passed away at Atlanta

Medical Center, was Timothy Graham, 28, of Morrow, Spencer said.

Witnesses told

police that the van was crossing the railroad tracks at Valleywood Road

when the collision occurred, Spencer said. The van never stopped at the

crossing, Spencer said.

This particular

crossing does not have safety arms; it is marked by the typical railroad

"crossbucks" sign.

Graham was

dating the mother of the boy, and apparently they were returning home

with dinner when the collision occurred around 7 p.m., Spencer said. It

was dark at the time, he confirmed, but train officials told police the

black box on the train indicated that the whistle was blown to alert motorists

of its presence. The train was also likely going the speed limit of 35

mph as it passed through town, Spencer added.

The victims

were extricated from the wreck by the Fayette County Department of Fire

and Emergency Services, and both were flown to hospitals by medical helicopters

which were called to the scene.

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