This is what Pat Miletich says "Miletich states that the train was traveling at 47 mph and that according to Hughes’ brother Mark, Matt had traveled the road many times before. He said what likely happened was that Matt tried to make it across the tracks before the large train approached and his tires spun, causing him to be stuck in place and delay the crossing."Seems pretty bizarre to me. He tried to beat a train crossing like you see in the movies? If that's true, I feel like there be something more behind it... seems odd anyone would try that.
https://mymmanews.com/pat-miletich-matt-hughes/