Douglas Craddock, Tavianna Ellegant Obituary, Death – Authorities have confirmed that two people were killed when their vehicle was struck by an Amtrak train along the Mississippi coast earlier this week. The deadly collision took place in Pass Christian on Tuesday evening, September 23, 2025, drawing swift response from emergency crews and sparking an ongoing investigation into the circumstances of the crash.
The crash occurred around 7 p.m. at the Davis Avenue railroad crossing. Harrison County Coroner Brian Switzer identified the victims as 31-year-old Douglas Craddock and 24-year-old Tavianna Ellegant, both residents of Long Beach. The two were reportedly employees of Top Guns Gym, a local fitness center. Switzer said Craddock was rushed to Ochsner Hancock Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Ellegant was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to preliminary details reported by the Sun Herald, investigators believe the pair’s vehicle crossed the tracks without slowing down just as the Amtrak train was approaching. At the time of the crash, the Davis Avenue crossing was equipped with flashing warning signals. However, authorities noted that those lights were not functioning when first responders arrived on the scene. Officials later clarified that the warning lights were knocked out during the crash, suggesting they may have been working before impact.
The Amtrak train involved was carrying 97 passengers. In a statement following the incident, Amtrak confirmed that none of the passengers or crew members on board were injured. The train was delayed while emergency crews secured the site and cleared the wreckage, but service later resumed.
Local residents told reporters that the Davis Avenue crossing has long been considered dangerous, even with the warning systems in place. Some community members have voiced concerns about visibility and the speed of trains moving through the area. Tuesday’s tragedy has renewed calls for improvements to rail safety in coastal Mississippi towns where train crossings intersect with busy local roadways.
Authorities have not yet released a final determination on what caused the vehicle to enter the tracks. Whether driver error, distraction, or another factor played a role remains unclear. The Pass Christian Police Department and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office are working alongside Amtrak investigators and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to review evidence, including eyewitness accounts, train data recordings, and surveillance footage from nearby businesses.
The sudden deaths of Craddock and Ellegant have left their families, friends, and colleagues at Top Guns Gym devastated. Tributes began pouring in on social media shortly after the crash. Several gym members remembered both victims as warm, hardworking, and passionate about fitness. Community members also held a small candlelight vigil near the site of the collision to honor their lives and support grieving loved ones.
This incident marks the second fatal train-vehicle collision in the Gulf Coast region this year, underscoring the risks posed by railroad crossings, particularly in areas with high commuter traffic. Federal statistics show that Mississippi ranks among the states with the highest number of train-related roadway accidents.
As the investigation continues, officials are urging drivers to remain cautious at all rail crossings, stressing the importance of slowing down and ensuring tracks are clear before attempting to cross. “This tragedy is a reminder of the need for vigilance around trains and the power they carry,” one official said.
For now, the Pass Christian community is left mourning the sudden loss of two young lives cut short in a devastating accident. Authorities have promised to release additional information as soon as it becomes available, while family and friends of Craddock and Ellegant continue to cope with the heartbreaking aftermath.
