Family of teen killed in Mayes County crash calls for more safety at train tracks

A crash in Mayes County took the life of a 16-year-old girl and seriously injured another teen.

The family of Isabella Glaze-Lagos says she was hit by a train just three weeks after getting her driver's license.

Isabella's family says they feel lost without her.

Now they are using her life to hopefully keep others safe around train tracks.

A young driver's accident

Isabella was driving with a friend, Bentley Grubbs, on Highway 69 on June 22nd when Troopers say Isabella ran through a stop sign on West 430 road in Mayes County and was hit by a train.

"She was everything that we've known, everything that we love, everything that you've poured your life into your heart and soul into to raise up a child and for her to be taken like so suddenly it's just crushing, it crushes you," said Shane Carey, Isabella's Father.

Drivers going over the train tracks will see a white teddy bear lying on a cross and surrounded by flowers.

Remembering Isabella

Isabella's family wants her to be remembered for her energetic, and kind personality.

"Her loving, caring, cheerful spirit that she had about her, I mean, just the way that she could light up her room when she walked in. She just, she was hilarious to talk to," said Carey.

"I loved her energy in the room and how were always together, we cheered together, we went to the same school, we did everything together," said Elizabeth Glaze-Carey.

Hoping for change

There are no lights or arms when a train comes near the tracks, only stop signs and railroad crossing signs. Shane Carey hopes Isabella's death can bring more safety measures to the area.

"Especially, you know, new drivers. They're not paying attention, and like we said earlier, they're trained to stop at the lights and arms and so that would help save some lives," said Carey.

Oklahoma Department of Transportation

News On 6 reached out to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to ask if they have plans to enhance warning signs in the area where Isabella died.

They sent this statement:

“The Oklahoma Department of Transportation annually evaluates all state public crossings with the USDOT Accident Prediction Model to help determine locations that should receive an on-site Diagnostic Team Inspection. At the DTI, the road authority, railroad, and ODOT determine what safety measures are designed for the location of the rail crossing. We are awaiting the report from the FRA on this particular crash, and once that is complete, we will move forward with determining next steps.”

Union Pacific Statement

"Union Pacific contributes millions of dollars and dedicated resources to support safe public grade crossings across our network. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Mayes County to discuss enhancing the warning signals at the crossing.

 The placement of active warning signals – such as gates and flashing lights – at railroad crossings is part of a federally guided process led by state transportation agencies, not the railroads themselves."

To support the Carey family, they have a GoFundMe here. Bentley's family has a GoFundMe to support her recovery here.