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.17 percent—more than twice the legal blood alcohol limit.
Durand Police Chief Luke Hopper confirmed that the truck was stolen from the parking lot of the Shell station at the I-69 exit in Durand while the driver, Lawrence Maloney (38) of Louisville, Kentucky, was using the restroom. The four racehorses were all killed in the impact of the crash and impending fire. Track Superintendent Wilson Goodrich reported, “After the train completed the ninety-degree curve between Monroe Road and Oak Street, Engineer Carrollton was unable to bring it to a stop before it collided with the horse trailer which had been abandoned across the tracks.” According to Goodrich, the train’s “black box” recorder indicated that a failed attempt was made to brake the passenger train “in time to avoid the disaster.”
One of the most bizarre aspects of the train wreck is the mysterious disappearance of Adrian Payne, co-owner of the Durand Depot. Railway records and various passengers have confirmed that Payne was on board the train, but since the accident, there has been no sign of his whereabouts. His wife of thirteen years, Erika Payne, and son, Logan, have yet to hear from Payne.
Board members of the Durand Union Station Michigan Railroad History Museum, in cooperation with Amtrak, have agreed to display the crashed train engine outside of the History Museum at 200 Railroad Street in Durand. It is to be located next to the 1968 refurbished caboose that was purchased at auction from Grand Trunk Railroad and donated to the museum. In an interesting gesture, the four horses were buried Monday along the railroad tracks about fifteen hundred feet west of the South Oak Street crossing where a tombstone will be placed as a memorial. The body of Joseph Carrollton (44) of Chicago, Illinois, has been transported to Drake and Son Funeral Home on North Western Avenue in Chicago. His wife and two children survive Carrollton.
When Clay finished reading, Zander said, “So what do you think, Clay? Would you be willing to meet Erika Payne? I think you can help her with her son. Lydia has been unable to get through to Logan Payne, and he’s been unwilling to talk about the accident and the loss of his father. It’s just possible that if you can solve the mystery behind his father’s disappearance, Lydia or Erika may be able to get through to him.”
“ And in the meantime, I’ll get out and will begin ‘moving on’ with my life. That’s what you’re thinking, isn’t it? Don’t deny that’s what you’re thinking because I read your mind.”
“ I think you should do it, Dad. And I’ll help in any way that I can. Go with her to the cave, and have a good time. Get your mind on something different and important. Maybe Zander’s right, and this’ll be good for you.”
Clay stopped to consider his son’s words which held more weight than Zander’s. He was somehow impressed by Tanner’s sincerity. “Well, I don’t see how I can help them, but I have to admit, I am curious about what happened. I guess I’ll give it a try, but don’t expect too much. Tell that Erika Payne lady that I’ll go caving if it’s okay with her.”
“ Great!” Zander said enthusiastically. “I’ll tell Lydia to make arrangements. I have a good feeling about all of this.”
***
“ Hello.” Erika Payne looked at her watch as she held the phone to her ear. She’d had trouble getting Logan out of bed and now she was running late for work.
“ Good morning, Mrs. Payne. This is Dr. Lydia Frauss. I was hoping to catch you before you headed to work.”
“ Morning. I’m running a bit late, but is there something wrong?”
“ No, nothing like that. I have a favor to ask of you.”
“ Sure, Dr. Frauss. What is it?”
“ Well, my husband is a neuroscientist at the University of Michigan. He has a friend who’s been going through a tough time after the death of his wife. I’ve told my husband about how you’re a caving guide and how you give
Durand Police Chief Luke Hopper confirmed that the truck was stolen from the parking lot of the Shell station at the I-69 exit in Durand while the driver, Lawrence Maloney (38) of Louisville, Kentucky, was using the restroom. The four racehorses were all killed in the impact of the crash and impending fire. Track Superintendent Wilson Goodrich reported, “After the train completed the ninety-degree curve between Monroe Road and Oak Street, Engineer Carrollton was unable to bring it to a stop before it collided with the horse trailer which had been abandoned across the tracks.” According to Goodrich, the train’s “black box” recorder indicated that a failed attempt was made to brake the passenger train “in time to avoid the disaster.”
One of the most bizarre aspects of the train wreck is the mysterious disappearance of Adrian Payne, co-owner of the Durand Depot. Railway records and various passengers have confirmed that Payne was on board the train, but since the accident, there has been no sign of his whereabouts. His wife of thirteen years, Erika Payne, and son, Logan, have yet to hear from Payne.
Board members of the Durand Union Station Michigan Railroad History Museum, in cooperation with Amtrak, have agreed to display the crashed train engine outside of the History Museum at 200 Railroad Street in Durand. It is to be located next to the 1968 refurbished caboose that was purchased at auction from Grand Trunk Railroad and donated to the museum. In an interesting gesture, the four horses were buried Monday along the railroad tracks about fifteen hundred feet west of the South Oak Street crossing where a tombstone will be placed as a memorial. The body of Joseph Carrollton (44) of Chicago, Illinois, has been transported to Drake and Son Funeral Home on North Western Avenue in Chicago. His wife and two children survive Carrollton.
When Clay finished reading, Zander said, “So what do you think, Clay? Would you be willing to meet Erika Payne? I think you can help her with her son. Lydia has been unable to get through to Logan Payne, and he’s been unwilling to talk about the accident and the loss of his father. It’s just possible that if you can solve the mystery behind his father’s disappearance, Lydia or Erika may be able to get through to him.”
“ And in the meantime, I’ll get out and will begin ‘moving on’ with my life. That’s what you’re thinking, isn’t it? Don’t deny that’s what you’re thinking because I read your mind.”
“ I think you should do it, Dad. And I’ll help in any way that I can. Go with her to the cave, and have a good time. Get your mind on something different and important. Maybe Zander’s right, and this’ll be good for you.”
Clay stopped to consider his son’s words which held more weight than Zander’s. He was somehow impressed by Tanner’s sincerity. “Well, I don’t see how I can help them, but I have to admit, I am curious about what happened. I guess I’ll give it a try, but don’t expect too much. Tell that Erika Payne lady that I’ll go caving if it’s okay with her.”
“ Great!” Zander said enthusiastically. “I’ll tell Lydia to make arrangements. I have a good feeling about all of this.”
***
“ Hello.” Erika Payne looked at her watch as she held the phone to her ear. She’d had trouble getting Logan out of bed and now she was running late for work.
“ Good morning, Mrs. Payne. This is Dr. Lydia Frauss. I was hoping to catch you before you headed to work.”
“ Morning. I’m running a bit late, but is there something wrong?”
“ No, nothing like that. I have a favor to ask of you.”
“ Sure, Dr. Frauss. What is it?”
“ Well, my husband is a neuroscientist at the University of Michigan. He has a friend who’s been going through a tough time after the death of his wife. I’ve told my husband about how you’re a caving guide and how you give
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