Train-Truck Collision Kills Albion Man

The collision, at the Maud railroad crossing in Wabash County, Illinois, took the life of David O. Headley, 34, of Albion.

Headley was driving the 10-wheeler truck north on County Road 700E when it was struck by the eastbound train at approximately 5:15 p.m., according to Illinois State Police.

A passenger in the truck, Ted Woods, 54, of West Salem was injured and later transferred from Wabash General Hospital by LifeFlight helicopter to Evansville. The accident was investigated by the Illinois State Police, assisted by the Wabash County Sheriff’s office and the Wabash County Coroner’s Office.

According to Wabash County Coroner, Robert Cunningham, the death of David Oren Headley was ruled accidental. He was killed as he crossed the railroad that is marked only by cross arms and termed “not a very safe crossing” by Cunningham. The train was traveling under the speed limit and had flashing lights and blew its whistle. The train was not really visible until the truck was on the track. Cunningham said that’s what makes it a dangerous crossing.

Daily Republican-Register (Mt. Carmel, IL) – Monday, August 14, 1995, September 13, 1995

David Oren Headley, 34, of Albion, died Friday Aug. 11, 1995, in Wabash County.  Burial in the Marion Church, northwest of West Salem.

Headley was born Feb. 16, 1961 in Fairfield, the son of Bill and Dorothy"Dot" (Koehler) Headley of Olney. He married Kathryn (Kathy) Bristow, March 6, 1992 at First Christian Church in Albion.

He was a trucker for Carter Trucking Company in Mill Shoals and was a member of Marion Christian Church.

He is survived by his parents: his grandmother, Virginia Headley; two stepsons, Matthew and Nicklas Maidlow; three brothers, Billy W. Headley and Phillip Headley, both of Olney and Steven Headley, of West Salem.

He was preceded in death by a brother.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)