Clare woman injured in car-train accident

by Pat Maurer

Review Correspondent

A Clare woman was listed in stable condition Wednesday at Midland’s MidMichigan Medical Center after the car she was driving was hit by a train in Clare Tuesday.

According to a release from Clare Police Chief Dwayne Miedzianowski, Kristine Hubel, 42, was crossing the railroad tracks westbound on Dunlop Street when she was hit by a Great Lakes Railroad Train traveling northbound around 12:30 p.m. He said the train was traveling between 20 and 25 miles per hour at the time. “Their speed limit in that area is 40 mph,” Midge said. “Luckily the engineer was going much slower.”

“Witness statements and evidence at the scene show that Hubel’s 2004 Ford Explorer entered onto the tracks, was struck by the train, that the Explorer was pushed north off the tracks, and that it ended up in the woods west of the tracks,” Miedzianowski said.

Hubel was taken to Mid Michigan Medical Center – Clare by Mobile Medical Response ambulance service because of injuries including possible head trauma. She was later being transferred to Hurley Medical Center by MMR for further treatment when, because of her injuries, the ambulance detoured and took her to Midland where she underwent emergency surgery.

Chief Miedzianowski said he was told Wednesday morning by her doctor at MMMC-Midland that, “she is progressing well.” He said she was in stable condition.

Clare City officers were assisted at the scene by the Clare Fire Department, MMR, the Clare County Sheriff Department Accident Investigation Team and Troopers from the Michigan State Police Mt. Pleasant Post.