7-Year-Old Boy, Grandmother Killed When Car is Struck by Train in Gary

A family is grieving the loss of a 7-year-old boy and his grandmother who died in a tragic freight train collision in Gary, Indiana, Tuesday morning.

Eric “EJ” McClellan Jr.’s grandmother was driving him to Wilson Elementary School, when a freight train hit their truck crossing the tracks.

EJ’s godmother Keeana Barber, said he was the sweetest, most vibrant little boy who was full of life.

“Just sad to see his life cut so short,” Barber said. “I don’t know what happened a malfunction or what; it’s just a terrible thing to see a child not be able to live out his life.”

EJ would have turned eight in a couple of weeks.

With EJ’s mother in a coma most of his life, cousin Joseph Beals said it was evident that EJ and his dad were best buddies.

According to close family friend Victor Wiley, the father was at work when he found out.

“It’s all about his son, every time,” Beals said. “It’s tragic, it’s hard for his family. We just want to be as supportive as we can.”

Barber said EJ’s father did everything for him and EJ’s grandmother was always very dedicated to her family.

“When EJ’s mom got sick he dedicated his whole life to him,” she said. “She (the grandmother) was involved in everybody’s life. Picking the kids up, taking them to football practice…really sad to end these lives like this.”

Gary police are investigating the case and urge any witnesses to provide any information they might have.

“They do have a tape on the train, so we want to find out what happened,” Barber said.