Bicyclist fatally struck by train in Hobart

A bicyclist was struck and killed by a train Monday evening in northwest Indiana.

William Alback, 45, was riding his bike eastbound on the bike trail in the 500 block of South Indiana Street in Hobart, Indiana about 5 p.m., according to Hobart police and the Lake County coroner’s office. The trail runs parallel to the railroad tracks.

He approached the railroad crossing and rode south toward the railroad tracks and was struck by an eastbound train, according to police.

Alback, who lived in the 1700 block of Amber Drive in Hobart, was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:10 p.m., the coroner’s office said. He died from blunt force trauma, and his death was ruled an accident.

Alback was wearing headphones, which may have been a contributing factor, police said. All of the bells and flashing lights at the crossing were activated and functioning at the time of the crash.

The crash remains under investigation by Hobart police.