Victims identified in rural Whiteside County train crash

The man killed when his vehicle was struck by a train Saturday in rural Whiteside County was identified this morning; his 16-year-old daughter remains in serious condition.

Robert J. Merrill, 65, of Erie, was northbound on Smit Road at the Moline Road railroad crossing when he was hit by an eastbound train around 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Whiteside County Sheriff John Booker said.

His 16-year-old daughter, Breanna, who was in the front-seat passenger seat, was airlifted to Iowa City Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

A gofundme fundraiser was established to assist the family with costs. Go to gofundme.com/f/robert-amp-breanna to donate.

According to the gofundme, Breanna's injuries include brain bleed, fractured ribs, broken collar bone and punctured lung.