Sparta PD inquiring about cell phone use in car-train collision

<span>Sparta Police Department Assistant Chief Jeremy Kempfer told the Herald Tribune on Monday that his department is waiting for cellular phone records in a possible connection to the March 26 car-train collision in Sparta.</span>

<span>Perryville resident Kelly Rubel, 22, and her 2-year-old daughter were seriously injured when the Chrysler PT Cruiser the pair were traveling in was struck broadside by a southbound local Canadian National Railway train.</span>

<span>The accident occurred at a crossing on South Chester Street between 1st and 2nd streets near Casey's General Store. Rubel has been charged with disobeying a railroad signal and failure to secure a child safety seat.</span>

<span>"We did apply for a search warrant for the records on (Rubel's) phone," Kempfer said. "We're still waiting for the phone company for that."</span>

<span>Kempfer said the warrant was applied for on March 30 and it could take up to two weeks for a response.</span>

<span>"Once we hear what (phone company officials) have to say regarding when her phone was used, then we can make a determination if it was being used during the time of the accident," Kempfer said. "If it was, we will charge her with texting while driving and go from there."</span>

<span>Kempfer said Rubel has been released from St. Louis University Hospital, where she was transferred after being taken to Sparta Community Hospital after the accident.</span>

<span>The status of the child, who was directly transferred to Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center in St. Louis, is unknown.</span>

<span>"I know the mother was released from the hospital on Thursday," Kempfer said. "My last information was the child was still in the hospital and I was not able to get ahold of anybody who could tell me if she was still on the breathing machine."</span>