A tragic train collision in northern Minnesota claimed the lives of a married couple from rural Cass Lake on Friday morning, leaving their community in shock and mourning. Authorities say Douglas Stewart, 61, and his wife Tiffany Stewart, 42, were killed when their SUV was struck by a Burlington Northern Santa Fe freight train in Farden Township, about 12 miles southeast of Bemidji.
According to Hubbard County Sheriff Cory Aukes, the crash was reported shortly before 10 a.m. on Jan. 30, 2026. The train’s conductor, Lee Silcox, 36, of Kempton, North Dakota, called 911 to report that the train had collided with a vehicle at a railroad crossing. Deputies and emergency medical personnel were immediately dispatched to the scene.
When first responders arrived, they found the Stewarts’ SUV heavily damaged at the crossing. Both Douglas and Tiffany Stewart were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities confirmed that no one else was inside the vehicle at the time of the crash. The train conductor was not injured.
Preliminary information released by the sheriff’s office indicates the couple was traveling in a 2016 Dodge Journey. Investigators say the SUV appeared to have stopped at a stop sign before entering the railroad crossing. However, as a westbound BNSF train approached, the vehicle moved onto the tracks and was struck.
The force of the collision caused catastrophic damage to the SUV, leaving little chance of survival. Officials have not yet said how fast the train was traveling at the time of impact or whether weather, visibility, or mechanical issues may have contributed to the crash. Those factors are being examined as part of the investigation.
The investigation into the deadly collision remains ongoing. Authorities are reviewing evidence from the scene, including train data and crossing conditions, to determine exactly what led to the crash. As the Stewarts’ family and friends grieve their sudden loss, officials are reminding drivers to use extreme caution at railroad crossings, stop completely, look both ways, and never attempt to cross when a train is approaching. The tragic deaths of Douglas and Tiffany Stewart serve as a painful reminder of how quickly lives can be lost at rail crossings.
