Train Strikes Semi at Dangerous, Unguarded Crossing, Causing Train to Derail
(Logansport, Indiana – December 17, 2012)
The driver of a semi-trailer truck had his rig struck by a southwest bound Norfolk Southern freight train consisting of four locomotives and 50 cars carrying commodities such as ethanol, fuel and grain at the dangerous, unguarded crossing of Cass County Road 175 West and NS railroad tracks south of Logansport, IN Monday morning about 9:00 A.M.
Truck driver David Jones, 47, of Indianapolis, IN, said he did not see the train as it approached the crossing which is “protected” solely by passive railroad crossbuck and highway “stop” signs, but lacks any form of active protection such as flashing lights, bells and crossing gates to keep the daily average of 38 freight trains traveling at speeds as high as 60 mph and highway traffic apart.
The train dragged the trailer about 100 feet along the parallel U.S. Highway 25, and then derailed all four of its engines about 2,000 feet from the point of impact.
Although there were no injuries, the accident forced the closure of U.S. 25 north of Delphi, IN until early Monday evening.
The Indiana State Police, Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Rural Metro, Logansport and Clymers Fire Departments all responded to the accident.