An ex-firefighter in Princeton, Jones, 34, said he had responded to a handful of traffic accidents during his tenure with the fire department. Some were heartbreaking, but none was particularly personal – except for one.

“I came across an accident one day where I found a friend of mine,” Jones said. “That’s when I had to quit.”

Memories of that tragic accident that claimed his friend’s life came rushing back Friday. About 10:45 a.m., Jones was sitting in the living room of his home near Herring Road when he heard the high-pitched squeal of a train’s brakes grinding against the tracks.

As he rushed outside, Jones saw it. A mangled white Cadillac had been struck by the train, which was carrying coal.

Across the street on U.S. 70-A, Marie Bailey had also heard the noise. She said her heart ran cold.

“I heard the brakes squealing to high heaven,” she said. “I knew something bad had happened. I feared for some people I know on [Wellons-Boyette Road]. There are some people I know up there who aren’t the best of drivers.”

Back at the crash site, Jones rushed to the car, where he saw two adults trapped inside. He called out to the pair, but heard no response. Then he noticed an empty car seat.

“I looked around and saw a couple of bags on the ground, and then I saw the baby,” he said. “I heard him cry just a little, then I cupped him in my arms and carried him to an ambulance.”

Lu Hickey, a spokeswoman for Johnston County, said the child was thrown from the car somewhere between a railroad crossing at Herring Road and U.S. 70-A and another crossing across from Bailey’s house. Hickey said the train carried the Cadillac about a quarter-mile along the tracks before it was thrown into a nearby tobacco field.

Trooper Jason Hare said the victims, Brandon Brady, 25, and Crystal Higgins, 22, both of 172 Herring Road, died at the scene. Hare said Brady and Higgins were engaged to be married.

The infant, Skylar, just six days old, was transported to WakeMed in Raleigh. Troopers said the boy, whose last name was not given, was listed in critical condition Friday afternoon.