Four Hurt After Car Slams Into Train

Four young men were injured Sunday morning when their car slammed into a freight train in the Spokane Valley.

The collision occurred about 2:30 a.m. at a railroad crossing near Mission and Thierman, said Marian Heale of the Washington State Patrol.

Injured in the compact car were driver Timothy Fackenthall, 18, and passengers Sean Shelton, 16; William Strandy, 19; and James Herndon, 18. All were from Spokane, and all were wearing seat belts, the State Patrol said.

Fackenthall and Strandy suffered internal injuries. Shelton suffered facial injuries, a broken femur and internal injuries.

The three were taken by ambulance to Sacred Heart Medical Center. Late Sunday, Fackenthall was listed in serious condition and Shelton was in critical but stable condition. Strandy was in satisfactory condition.

Herndon suffered a dislocated hip, a torn aorta and a broken arm, authorities said. He was in critical condition late Sunday at Deaconess Medical Center.

The Burlington Northern train engineer was not injured, according to the State Patrol.