GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -
Harrison County Coroner Gary Hargrove has confirmed to WLOX.com that "alcohol played a major factor" in the train-car collision that killed Brian Little.
Hargrove would not say just how much alcohol was found in the 29-year-old Mobile, Alabama man's system. But he said the preliminary findings from a toxicology report clearly indicated Little should not have been behind the wheel of his car. "It's an awakening of what DUI can cause," said Hargrove. "It affects everybody, his family and his friends."
Little died early Tuesday morning. According to Gulfport Police, the Mobile man got his car stuck on the railroad tracks at 29th Avenue. Two friends got out and tried to free the vehicle. But when they were unsuccessful, authorities said the friends went separate ways to get help.
Moments later, a CSX train slammed into the Dodge Charger with Little still inside. That train may have dragged the car four blocks before it finally came to rest at Highway 49, and then burst into flames.
Hargrove said Little died from massive blunt force trauma.
The tracks at 29th Avenue do not have railroad crossing arms, because that crossing was closed quite some time ago. The coroner confirmed the driver of the car ignored warning signs, and got stuck at a crossing where cars no longer belonged.
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