Rock County officials responded to a serious vehicle‑train collision on Wednesday afternoon that left a 21‑year‑old driver from Stoughton in critical condition. The crash occurred at approximately 2:45 p.m. on N Dallman Road, just south of County Trunk Highway N, within the Town of Fulton.

What happened

According to the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, the driver was traveling northbound in a Honda Civic and approached a railroad crossing that is equipped with stop signs on both the north and south approaches. A freight train, consisting of a locomotive and two freight cars and operated by a 51‑year‑old engineer from McFarland, was also approaching the crossing.

Despite the stop signs, the vehicle continued across the tracks and was struck on the driver’s side as the train entered the crossing. Emergency crews extricated the driver from the vehicle and air‑lifted him to a hospital for treatment.

Response and investigation

Multiple agencies converged on the scene, including the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, Town of Fulton Police Department, Edgerton Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, Lakeside Fire Department, MD‑1, and Med Flight. All three crew members aboard the train were unharmed.

The sheriff’s office confirmed that the stop signs at the crossing were in proper working order at the time of the incident. The crash remains under active investigation by the Rock County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to determine why the vehicle entered the crossing despite the posted signs.

Community impact

Rock County residents rely on safe railroad crossings for daily commutes and agricultural transport. While this incident resulted in a serious injury, the prompt response of first‑responders helped prevent a potentially larger tragedy. Local officials have reiterated the importance of obeying stop signs and remaining vigilant at all railroad crossings.

Authorities encourage anyone who witnessed the collision or has information about the driver’s actions to contact the Rock County Sheriff’s Office. Updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.

Safety reminder

All motorists are urged to treat railroad crossings with the same caution as any other intersection. Stop signs must be obeyed, and drivers should look both ways and listen for approaching trains before proceeding. The safety of our families and neighbors depends on each person’s commitment to these basic traffic rules.

Original reporting: NBC15 WMTV (Gray) – local — read the source article.