On Thursday, April 24, 2025, a tragic accident occurred on U.S. Highway 52 in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, involving Purdue University’s mascot vehicle, the Boilermaker Special. The crash resulted in the death of 20-year-old Madison Cook, a Purdue graduate student, and left two other individuals with non-life-threatening injuries.
Incident Overview
The Boilermaker Special, a locomotive-style vehicle resembling a Victorian-era steam engine, was traveling northbound on U.S. Highway 52 near Wyandotte Road when it crossed the median and collided with a southbound passenger car. The driver of the car, identified as Madison Cook, was pronounced dead at the scene. The two occupants aboard the Boilermaker Special, both Purdue students aged 20 and 22, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were treated and released from a local hospital .
Possible Cause of the Crash
Preliminary investigations suggest that a tire malfunction on the Boilermaker Special may have caused the vehicle to lose control and cross the median. An eyewitness reported seeing the tire blow out before the vehicle veered into the opposite lane . The Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Division, to determine any additional mechanical issues that may have contributed to the crash .
Purdue University’s Response
Purdue University expressed its condolences in a statement, acknowledging the involvement of the Boilermaker Special in the incident. The university conveyed its thoughts to all those affected by the tragedy .
About the Boilermaker Special
On Thursday, April 24, 2025, a tragic accident occurred on U.S. Highway 52 in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, involving Purdue University’s mascot vehicle, the Boilermaker Special. The crash resulted in the death of 20-year-old Madison Cook, a Purdue graduate student, and left two other individuals with non-life-threatening injuries.
Incident Overview
The Boilermaker Special, a locomotive-style vehicle resembling a Victorian-era steam engine, was traveling northbound on U.S. Highway 52 near Wyandotte Road when it crossed the median and collided with a southbound passenger car. The driver of the car, identified as Madison Cook, was pronounced dead at the scene. The two occupants aboard the Boilermaker Special, both Purdue students aged 20 and 22, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were treated and released from a local hospital .
Possible Cause of the Crash
Preliminary investigations suggest that a tire malfunction on the Boilermaker Special may have caused the vehicle to lose control and cross the median. An eyewitness reported seeing the tire blow out before the vehicle veered into the opposite lane . The Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Division, to determine any additional mechanical issues that may have contributed to the crash .
Purdue University’s Response
Purdue University expressed its condolences in a statement, acknowledging the involvement of the Boilermaker Special in the incident. The university conveyed its thoughts to all those affected by the tragedy.
About the Boilermaker Special
The Boilermaker Special serves as Purdue University’s official mascot and is a fixture at the university’s football games, traveling to away games to support the team. The vehicle, capable of reaching speeds up to 75 mph, underwent a significant overhaul in 2011, resulting in the current Boilermaker Special VII. The university is currently constructing Boilermaker Special IX, expected to replace the current vehicle in the spring of 2026 .
Ongoing Investigation
The Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the crash to determine the exact cause and any contributing factors. The community remains in mourning as authorities work to provide answers and prevent future incidents.
The Boilermaker Special serves as Purdue University’s official mascot and is a fixture at the university’s football games, traveling to away games to support the team. The vehicle, capable of reaching speeds up to 75 mph, underwent a significant overhaul in 2011, resulting in the current Boilermaker Special VII. The university is currently constructing Boilermaker Special IX, expected to replace the current vehicle in the spring of 2026 .
Ongoing Investigation
The Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the crash to determine the exact cause and any contributing factors. The community remains in mourning as authorities work to provide answers and prevent future incidents.