Husband, wife killed in Nash County train crash

Whitakers police said the driver of the car attempted to beat the train after the stop arms had been lowered when Amtrak train 89 collided with it at about 2:20 p.m.

Authorities said the bodies of Eugene and Dorothy Lyons, a married couple, were found outside the car. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Those who knew the couple said Eugene Lyons was a well-known pastor.

No passengers on the train were hurt and service was suspended as authorities investigated the crash.

Amtrak officials said the train was traveling from New York City to Savannah, Georgia at the time of the crash and that the company is cooperating with the investigation.