AUTOPSY: TEACHER WAS ALIVE AT TIME OF TRAIN COLLISION
Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 -- 11:56 AM
An autopsy has determined a Marshfield teacher was alive when a train smashed into his car early Friday morning.Troy Schmitt, 37, of Colby, was killed by the collision, and died of severe head and chest trauma.
Schmitt?s minivan was parked on the railroad, 20 feet off the roadway and facing the oncoming train with its lights off. The collision happened just outside of Auburndale.
Investigators on Monday still were trying to piece together the final hours of Schmitt's life.
Schmitt was at a fish fry Thursday until about 10:30 p.m. in Marshfield with several other teachers. The teachers told investigators that Schmitt did not have much to drink, perhaps one or two drinks.
The train engineer told police that it appeared Schmitt was slumped over the steering wheel prior to impact.
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