New Albany high school student and two family members killed when struck by BNSF train.

Robert Max Sheffield, age 14, a student at New Albany High School, was one of three people killed when their vehicle was struck by a Burlington Northern/Santa Fe (BNSF) train.

Max Sheffield

The collision between the train and a mini-van occurred at 5:41 p.m., Monday, December 19, in Sherman in Pontotoc County.

Also killed were Robert “Ted” Sheffield, age 51, and Sharon Sheffield, 52. A fourth passenger in the vehicle, seven-year-old Eliszabeth Sheffield, was critically injured and was flown by helicopter to LeBonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis. She was reported in “stable” condition Tuesday afternoon.

The Sheffield vehicle was trying to cross the BNSF tracks on Third Avenue in Sherman when it was struck by the Memphis-bound train.

The railroad crossing is protected by flashing lights and alarm bells but does not have a “cross bar” that lowers to prevent motorists from crossing the railroad right-of-way.

Witnesses reported that there have been other fatal accidents at the same rail crossing.

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