An accident early this (Saturday) morning in southeast Iowa’s Henry County has claimed the life of a young woman. The Iowa State Patrol reports 18-year old Lydia Danielle Johnson, of Brighton, who was wearing a seat belt, was driving a 2005 Ford Focus northbound on N. Iris Street in Mt. Pleasant at around 1:10-a.m., when she crossed the railroad tracks and was struck by an approaching train. Authorities say the crossing gates were down and lights were flashing to indicate the approaching locomotive. Johnson tried to drive around the gates when her car was struck broadside by the westbound train. The car came to rest northwest of the railroad crossing, while the train stopped on the tracks.

Johnson was transported by Med Force Air Ambulance to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, where she died from her injuries.

(12:40-p.m.)