Crime & Safety
UPDATED: Victim Identified in Jackson Township Car-vs-Train Collision
Wiladine J. VanWert, 85, of Canton, died after her car collided with a train at Portage Street NW and Whipple Avenue NW
Highway patrol officials are investigating a Friday morning.
The crash occurred on Portage Street between the intersections of Whipple Avenue and Freedom Avenue.
Wiladine J. VanWert, 85, of Canton, was driving a 2005 Honda Accord east on Portage Street about 11:45 a.m. She traveled through an active railroad crossing warning gate and a Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad Train, which was traveling south, struck her car.
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VanWert was pronounced dead at the scene by Chief Investigator Harry Campbell of the Stark County Coroner’s office.
The train engineer, Dennis Matlosz, 69, and crew, were not injured. The train's two passengers also were not injured.
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Jackson Township Fire Department and Jackson Township Police Department assisted at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation.
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