Chevrolet sedan attempted to cross tracks near Purdy

By Kyle Troutman [email protected]

An Exeter man died after his vehicle collided with a train at 1:20 p.m. on Feb. 20, three quarters of a mile north of Purdy.

According to a Missouri Highway Patrol report, a 47-year-old male, of Exeter, was driving a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt eastbound and attempted to traverse a railway crossing marked by yield/railway crossing signs and was struck by a Arkansas and Missouri Railway 2012 EMD SD70ACE, being conducted by a 19-year-old male.

The Exeter man was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:28 p.m. by Deputy Coroner Todd McCoy. The train conductor was not injured.

It is unknown if the Exeter man was wearing a safety device, and the vehicle was totaled. The train was not damaged.

This is the 12th fatality of 2026 for Troop D of the patrol, which covers 18 counties in southwest Missouri, including Barry.