Woman killed when train hits car in Portage

A woman was killed when her car was struck by a train Monday evening in Portage, Indiana.

Officers were called about 6:50 p.m. to the crash at the railroad crossing at County Line Road and U.S. Highway 12, according to a statement from the Porter County Coroner’s Office.

Witnesses said a woman was driving a white Chevrolet Impala southbound on County Line Road behind a school bus that came to a stop after crossing the train tracks, the coroner’s office said. The car stopped on the tracks and was struck by an eastbound Norfolk Southern train.

The driver, identified as 75-year-old Barbara A. Gibson of Valparaiso, Indiana, was pronounced dead at the scene, the coroner’s office said.

The crash is being investigated by Gary police.

Drugs and alcohol are not believed to have played a role in the crash, the coroner said.