Teen injured in SUV, train crash

Hartselle High senior Chelsea Bennich escaped serious injury Tuesday morning when her SUV and a freight train collided at the Hickory Street crossing in downtown Hartselle. | Clif Knight

A CSX freight train traveling south and a SUV traveling west on Hickory Street collided at approximately 7:50 a.m. Tuesday in downtown Hartselle.

Chelsea Bennich, 17, of Hartselle was the driver and sole occupant of the Ford Explorer XLT. A Hartselle High School senior, Bennich sustained minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to Hartselle Medical Center where she was examined, treated and released.

The passenger side of Bennich’s car was badly crushed at the point where impact with the train occurred.  However, she was protected from the blow by her safety belt and an air bag.

Her SUV was knocked about 40 feet from the Hickory Street railroad crossing but remained upright after slamming into a high embankment.

Bennich is a veteran member of Hartselle High School’s softball and volleyball teams. She signed a letter of intent to play softball for Calhoun Community College last week.