The investigation continues into the death of a local woman at a train crossing early Sunday morning (9-21). 66 year-old Kathleen A. Rhodes of Taylorville was pronounced dead at the scene after her vehicle was struck by a Norfolk and Southern train near the entrance to Manner's Park.

 Illinois turns out to be among the worst states for train accidents, according to the most recently available statistics. In 2012, Illinois saw 25 people killed and 34 seriously injured by trains. The six-county Chicago area accounted for nearly three quarters of the accidents. 

 A sizable portion of the deaths and injuries are to people who are walking on or loitering around railroad tracks. In the 2012 statistics, they accounted for 19 of the 25 recorded deaths. Authorities remind the public that it's considered trespassing to be on or near the tracks in most areas. Violators could be fined up to $150 for a first offense.

 Illinois, with over 7,300 miles of track, was surpassed only by California and Texas for railroad accidents. As always, the public is cautioned to always be extremely careful around tracks.