By Karen Gutierrez
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The driver of a car involved in a fatal collision with a train this week may not have ignored warning lights when he started across the tracks, the Boone County Sheriff's Office said Thursday.

Sheriff's officials initially told reporters the track's warning lights were flashing Tuesday when Kevin Nadler, 28, started across the tracks, located near the intersection of U.S. 25 and Maher Road in Walton.

That statement was based on the recollection of one witness, but a second witness says the lights started flashing moments after Nadler's car stalled on the tracks, Maj. Jack Banks said.

"I think there are some conflicting reports," he said. "I don't know that we'll ever be able to determine at what point the car was on the tracks."

Nadler and his wife, Angela, had gotten out of the car and were frantically trying to push it off the tracks when the train struck. Angela Nadler was killed along with her daughters, Faithe, 6, and Grace, 4, who were still inside the car. The couple's youngest child, Kevin Jr., was also inside but survived the crash and is being treated at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

Based on all the available information, Kevin Nadler did everything possible to help his family, Banks said.

"In trying to save his children, he barely missed getting hit and possibly killed himself," Banks said.

Visitation for Angela, Faithe and Grace Nadler will be 10-11 a.m. and service 11 a.m. Saturday at Linnemann Funeral Home in Burlington. Burial will be in Richwood Cemetery.

Donations can be made at Angela Nadler's place of employment, Gold Star Chili on Richwood Road in Walton, or at any branch of the Bank of Kentucky.

E-mail kgutierrez@enquirer.com