A tragic collision between a vehicle and a freight train in downtown Auburn claimed the life of a Birmingham man early Thursday morning.

The crash was reported to first responders around 7 A.M. on June 26, 2025, at the North Gay Street railroad crossing. Upon arrival, first responders located a single victim suffering from critical injuries. Despite immediate lifesaving efforts, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:25 a.m.

Lee County Coroner Daniel Sexton identified the victim as Christian Smaw, 22, of Birmingham. Sexton confirmed that Smaw was the sole occupant of a 2017 Dodge Charger that collided with a CSX freight train. The vehicle was struck at the Gay Street crossing, which remains closed as the Auburn Police Department’s Traffic Homicide Unit continues its investigation.

The railroad crossings at Donahue Drive, College Street, and Ross Street remain open to traffic.

Mr. Smaw’s body will be transported by the Lee County Coroner’s Office to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Montgomery for a postmortem examination.

Police are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information related to the crash to contact the Auburn Police Department at (334) 501-3100.

The investigation remains ongoing.