021323 FATAL TRAIN VS TRUCK CRASH AND DERAILMENT

Just after 7:30 pm, a 57-year-old truck driver was leaving a mobile home repossession facility on Midline Road and I-69 in a Kenworth truck used to transport mobile homes. He approached the railroad tracks which had no crossing arms or signals. A southbound Union Pacific train traveling about 60mph approached the crossing with the horn activated. The driver pulled out in front of the train and was struck. The train continued down the tracks braking as 21 railcars derailed. The train was able to stop just before East River Road. Part of the truck and axles were still embedded in the front of the train. The remainder of the truck was in pieces at the crossing. East Montgomery County Fire Department responded along with Porter and Woodlands HAZMAT. The train was carrying shipping containers but until officials were able to inspect the bills of lading it was unsure if anything hazardous was involved. The truck driver was pronounced deceased on the scene and Montgomery County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace did th