Man hurt in collision drove around RR crossing arms

UPDATE @ 7:30 p.m.: The driver of a truck believed to belong to Top Notch Tree Care was taken to Springfield Regional Medical Center suffering from minor injuries, a sergeant with the Ohio Highway Patrol said.

The railroad crossing arms were down and the warning lights were flashing, but the man for unknown reason went around the crossing arms and tried to beat the Indiana & Ohio freight train, OSP Sgt. Jason Cadle said.

The man’s name and age were not immediately released because he was taken to the hospital before troopers arrived to interview him.

“We’re not sure if there was a medical or mechanical reason,” Cadle said, but the man “entered into the track and the train just happened to meet him at the same time and knocked him off the track.”

The man will be cited, probably on a minor misdemeanor violation because the crossing arms and warning lights were activated at the time of the accident, Cadle said. The pickup truck was spun and seriously damaged in the collision.

The train continued three-quarters to a half-mile down the tracks after impact, the sergeant said. Wynn and South Tecumseh roads continued to be closed because of the investigation and check of the rail cars by railroad officials.

FIRST REPORT

Police and a rescue unit have been dispatched on a report of a train-pickup truck collision at South Tecumseh and Wynn roads, southwest of Springfield.

Our crew on scene reports that the male driver of a pickup truck walked to a waiting medical stretcher and was taken to a hospital.

The truck was damaged significantly in the accident, which is under investigation.

We have a second crew en route. Stay with whio.com for breaking news.