Motorcyclist killed by passing train in Birdseye

A motorcyclist was struck and killed by a passing train in Birdseye Wednesday evening.

According to authorities, Larry Schwartz, 57, of W. 2nd St., Birdseye, was driving a 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle south on State Road 145 at about 8:33 p.m. when he disregarded the cross arms at the railroad tracks for a westbound Norfolk Southern train.

He drove the motorcycle around the arms, across the tracks and turned west on First St. before driving off the right side of the street into the rocks near the tracks.

When he drove into the rocks, he lost control of the motorcycle and it fell on its side. Schwartz was pinned under the bike and the passing train struck him.

He suffered massive head trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Dubois County Coroner.

The motorcycle had about $1,000 in damage, according to police.

Indiana State Police, Birdseye Town Marshal, Birdseye First Responders, and Memorial Emergency Medical Services assisted at the scene.