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East AL woman passes away after train vs. vehicle crash in Opelika

CNAW Newsroom —
East AL woman passes away after train vs. vehicle crash in Opelika
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Key takeaways
  • 69-year-old Cathy Richards of Dadeville died at Grady Memorial Hospital after train-vehicle crash in Opelika.
  • Train hit Mercedes at 8th Street railroad crossing on August 20, 2025; crash under investigation.

A sad update has been released by authorities in the train versus vehicle crash in Opelika.

Image: Opelika Police Department

The crash occurred at 8th Street railroad crossing in downtown Opelika, shortly before 3 P.M. on August 20, 2025.

Opelika police say authorities located a female entrapped in a Mercedes passenger car. The female was transported to East Alabama Medical Center, where she was life-flighted to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, GA.

Image: Opelika Police Department

Lee County Coroner Daniel Sexton confirmed to CNAW2News.com, the female driver, identified as 69-year-old Cathy Richards, of Dadeville, was pronounced deceased at Grady Memorial Hospital.

The crash remains under investigation by the Traffic Homicide Investigation Unit of the Opelika Police Department.

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