September  18, 1997

Granite City Press Record

Family and friends of Eric Ivie held a candlelight vigil Monday night at the railroad crossings at Oldenburg and Old Alton Road, where Ivie was killed one year ago.

Ivie had been following his brother, Jason Ivie, home after jumping Jason's car on Sept. 15, 1996, when a train struck his car and killed him.

The lack of an electronic signal at the crossing has consumed Scott Gauvin of Springfield for the past year. Gauvin, family and friends maintain if there had been a better warning signal, Ivie would still be alive. 

Gauvin went to Chouteau Township, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), State Rep. Steve Davis and the railroad company for help in getting a signal.

After waiting for a whole year, officials may finally be working toward making the crossing safer.