{"id":2427900,"date":"2025-04-26T20:40:01","date_gmt":"2025-04-27T00:40:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/purdue-university-mascot-train-involved-in-fatal-crash-on-indiana-road\/"},"modified":"2025-04-26T20:42:23","modified_gmt":"2025-04-27T00:42:23","slug":"purdue-university-mascot-train-involved-in-fatal-crash-on-indiana-road","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/purdue-university-mascot-train-involved-in-fatal-crash-on-indiana-road\/","title":{"rendered":"Purdue University Mascot Train Involved in Fatal Crash on Indiana Road"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fpurdue-university-mascot-train-involved-in-fatal-crash-on-indiana-road%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2427900&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Boilermaker Special, Purdue University&#8217;s vehicular mascot, was involved in a tragic accident in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.the incident occurred on a Thursday afternoon when the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">custom truck collided<\/a> with an oncoming vehicle, resulting in the death of the other driver, a woman in her mid-20s. The university reported that two students, who were operating the Boilermaker Special, were treated at a hospital and later released. <\/p>\n<p>investigators are looking into the possibility of a tire malfunction as the cause of the crash, which led the vehicle to cross into the opposite lane. The Tippecanoe County Sheriff\u2019s Office is continuing its investigation,with both drivers undergoing toxicology tests.The identity of the deceased remains undisclosed, though more details are expected to come out following an autopsy. Witnesses reported seeing the vehicle blow a tire before the accident occurred.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>Purdue University&rsquo;s vehicular mascot was involved in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/reports-u-s-airstrike-iranian-target-in-syria\/\" title=\"Reports: U.S. airstrike Iranian target in Syria\">fatal car crash<\/a> in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, on Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n<p>The locomotive-shaped truck, called the Boilermaker Special, was driving north on U.S. 52 when it veered into an oncoming car headed south, killing the other driver.<\/p>\n<p>The university released a statement that day.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The two students who were on the Special have been treated and released from the hospital. Our thoughts are with all those impacted by the incident,&rdquo; the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/2025\/Q2\/purdue-university-statement-on-boilermaker-special-crash-april-24-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">statement read<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Investigators said the mascot possibly had a tire malfunction, causing the vehicle to leave its side of the road and swerve into <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/forensics-experts-offer-new-theory-about-tiger-woods-crash\/\" title=\"Forensics Experts Offer New Theory About Tiger Woods ...\">oncoming traffic<\/a>, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wrtv.com\/news\/local-news\/tippecanoe-county\/fatal-crash-involving-boilermaker-special-on-u-s-52-in-tippecanoe-county\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WRTV<\/a> in Indiana.<\/p>\n<p> <script type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\tif ( getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"stnvideo\").remove() \t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\tdocument.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", function() { \t\t\t\t\tfunction loadScript(src) { \t\t\t\t\t\tconst script=document.createElement(\"script\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tscript.src=src; \t\t\t\t\t\tscript.async=true; \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.body.appendChild(script); \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\tfunction findPreviousParagraph(selector, x) { \t\t\t\t\t\tconst targetElement=document.querySelector(selector); \t\t\t\t\t\tif (!targetElement) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.warn(\"Target element not found.\"); \t\t\t\t\t\t\treturn null; \t\t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Get all <\/p>\n<p> elements in order as they appear in the document \t\t\t\t\t\tlet paragraphs=Array.from(document.querySelectorAll(\"p\"));  \t\t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Find the index of the last <\/p>\n<p> before the target element \t\t\t\t\t\tlet targetIndex=paragraphs.findIndex(p=> p.compareDocumentPosition(targetElement) & Node.DOCUMENT_POSITION_PRECEDING);  \t\t\t\t\t\tif (targetIndex===-1 || targetIndex <x) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.warn(\"Not enough paragraphs before the target element.\"); \t\t\t\t\t\t\treturn null; \t\t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\treturn paragraphs[targetIndex - x]; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Set up IntersectionObserver \t\t\t\t\tfunction observeElement(element) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif (!element) return;  \t\t\t\t\t\tconst observer=new IntersectionObserver( \t\t\t\t\t\t\t(entries)=> { \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tentries.forEach(entry=> { \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tif (entry.isIntersecting) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log(\"Paragraph is now visible:\", entry.target.textContent.trim()); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloadScript(\"https:\/\/embed.sendtonews.com\/player3\/embedcode.js?fk=s28Az7AY\"); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tobserver.disconnect(); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t}, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t{ threshold: 0.5 } \/\/ Adjust threshold as needed \t\t\t\t\t\t);  \t\t\t\t\t\tobserver.observe(element); \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Find the 1st paragraph before #stnvideo and observe it \t\t\t\t\tlet paragraphToObserve=findPreviousParagraph(\"#stnvideo\", 2); \t\t\t\t\tobserveElement(paragraphToObserve); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Purdue&rsquo;s Boilermaker Special was involved in a deadly crash Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n<p>Deputies believe the college mascot had a &ldquo;possible tire malfunction&rdquo; when it crossed the center line and hit a car.<\/p>\n<p>MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/exr3KX0Sq2\">https:\/\/t.co\/exr3KX0Sq2<\/a><\/p>\n<p>(&#128248;: Purdue Exponent) <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/EuyVWO0yrD\">pic.twitter.com\/EuyVWO0yrD<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; WTHR.com (@WTHRcom) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WTHRcom\/status\/1915812578946683055?\">April 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The Tippecanoe County Sheriff&rsquo;s Office is still investigating the accident, and both drivers will undergo <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/nashville-shooters-autopsy-toxicology-report-answers-lingering-questions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">toxicology<\/a> exams.<\/p>\n<p>Authorities haven&rsquo;t released the identity of the person killed in the crash, but Tippecanoe County Coroner Carrie Costello said Friday that the victim was a woman in her mid-20s, according to the Indiana news outlet <a href=\"https:\/\/subscribe.jconline.com\/restricted?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jconline.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fpurdue%2F2025%2F04%2F25%2Fpolice-boilermaker-specials-tire-blew-causing-fatal-crash%2F83270515007%2F&amp;gps-source=CPROADBLOCKDH&amp;itm_source=roadblock&amp;itm_medium=onsite&amp;itm_campaign=premiumroadblock&amp;gca-cat=p&amp;gca-uir=false&amp;gca-epti=z119089p119050c119050e001900v119089&amp;gca-ft=32&amp;gca-ds=sophi&amp;theme=twentyfour&amp;hideGrid=true&amp;gnt-eid=control\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Journal and Courier<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Madison Cook, a 20-year-old junior at Purdue, was driving the Boilermaker Special, while 22-year-old senior Taylor Melton was her passenger.<\/p>\n<p>Lyndsay Lehr, a driver, witnessed the crash in her rearview mirror.<\/p>\n<p>Lehr said she saw the Boilermaker Special blow its tire before <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/standout-athlete-multiple-family-members-killed-new-york-plane-crash\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">crashing<\/a> into the car behind her, prompting her to dial 9-1-1.<\/p>\n<p>Below are some earlier and unrelated clips of the Boilermaker Special.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">We went to Purdue to check out one of the coolest mascots in the country, the 13,000 pound Boilermaker Special. It would take about 60 hours to get to Phoenix and back so the train won&rsquo;t be in AZ &ndash; but it hopes to carry a championship team when Purdue returns. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FOX59?\">@FOX59<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CBS4Indy?\">@CBS4Indy<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/NREAgwiKkB\">pic.twitter.com\/NREAgwiKkB<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Eric Graves (@ReporterEric) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ReporterEric\/status\/1776631471983219003?\">April 6, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">THE BOYS RIDING THE BOILERMAKER SPECIAL THAT IS TOUGHHHHHH<\/p>\n<p>&#128293;&#128293;&#128293; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/B5N9k9oVfz\">pic.twitter.com\/B5N9k9oVfz<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; EdeyMuse (@EdeyMuse) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/EdeyMuse\/status\/1774618246852841519?\">April 1, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-military-aircraft-believed-to-be-carrying-nuclear-material-crashes-in-california-multiple-people-killed\/\" title=\"BREAKING: Military Aircraft Believed To Be ...rying Nuclear Material ...es In California, Multiple People Killed\">crash reportedly happened<\/a> about 11 miles from the Purdue campus, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wlfi.com\/news\/cause-of-crash-released-involving-boilermaker-special\/article_8b29a2e4-95e9-4418-ba5f-4136d6eca1d3.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WLFI-TV<\/a> in Indiana.<\/p>\n<p>An <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/autopsy-failed-presidential-campaign-ways-kamala-dropped-ball\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">autopsy<\/a> of the deceased driver is scheduled for Monday.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey==typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts={ \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs=[ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i=0; i <inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! ( opts[inputs[i]]=document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"' + inputs[i] + '\"]' ).value ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .required-message' ).style.display='block'; \t\t\t\t\t\treturn; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction input[type=\"submit\"]' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).src=firefly_loading_gif_url; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='inline-block';  \t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( 'ma subbing' );  \t\t\t\t\tif( firefly_post_id ) opts['post_id']=firefly_post_id;  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Send the data using post with element id name and name2*\/ \t\t\t\t\tvar posting=jQuery.post( firefly_ajax_url, opts );  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Alerts the results *\/ \t\t\t\t\tposting.done( function( response ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif( response.success ) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( response.data ); \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-confirm' ).style.display='block';  \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdataLayer.push( { 'event': 'submit-correction' } ); \t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> \t     \t\t\t\t\t\t     \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script>console.log(\"ad slot (BA1)\")<\/script> \t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Purdue University\u2019s vehicle mascot was involved in a deadly accident in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, on Thursday afternoon. The truck, known as the Boilermaker Special and shaped like a locomotive, was traveling north on U.S. 52 when it crossed into the path of an oncoming car going south, resulting in the death of the other driver. The university issued a statement that day saying, \u201cThe two students aboard the Special have been treated and released from the hospital. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident.\u201d Investigators indicated that a possible tire failure may have caused the mascot vehicle to drift into opposing traffic, according to WRTV in Indiana<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2427901,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Boilermaker.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[54151,54149,54148,47437,54150],"class_list":["post-2427900","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-indiana-news","tag-mascot-2","tag-purdue-university","tag-safety-incident","tag-train-crash"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Boilermaker.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2427900","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2427900"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2427900\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2427904,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2427900\/revisions\/2427904"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2427901"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2427900"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2427900"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2427900"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}