On June 21 at approximately 5:25 p.m., the Saline County Communications Center received information from the Friend Police Department of a motor vehicle and a train crash that occurred north of the intersection of Highway 6 and County Road 800 in rural Friend. The Friend Volunteer Fire/Rescue, Friend Police and Deputies from the Saline County Sheriff's Office responded.
Upon arrival, the operator of the motor vehicle, Aaron S. Rathje, 38, of rural Seward, was found at the scene deceased.
The investigation revealed that Rathje was operating a 2017 Ford F-150 northbound on CR 800 and entered the railroad crossing at the crossing tracks when the truck was struck by an eastbound Burlington Northern Santa Fe train.
This incident is being investigated by the Saline County Sheriff's Office.
