CHINA, Texas — The driver of an 18-wheeler was cited after his trailer got stuck on a railroad crossing and was struck by a train Wednesday morning near China.
A 2022 Freightliner truck tractor puling a semi-trailer loaded with non-hazardous plastic, driven by Willie Edwards , 65, of Tulsa, was headed west on U.S. 90 at about 7:15 a.m. according to a news release from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Edwards made a right turn onto Thompson Road, disregarding a no thru-traffic sign and as the truck crossed the tracks the trailer became stuck troopers said.
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He was able to unhook the truck tractor from the trailer and move it away from the tracks before a westbound freight train pulling 88 cars struck the trailer.
The train engineer, a 45-year-old Beaumont man and his passenger, a 47-year-old Conroe man, were not injured the release said.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
No one injured after train strikes semi-trailer near China Wednesday morning
Read the full news release from the Texas Department of Public Safety...
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is investigating a crash involving a train and a commercial motor vehicle on Thompson Road near U.S. Highway 90, that occurred today, June 15, 2022.
The preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 7:15 a.m., a 2022 Freightliner truck tractor semi-trailer, which was hauling a non-hazardous plastic material, was traveling west.
It is reported that the driver disregarded the no thru traffic sign and made a right turn onto Thompson Rd.
As the truck tractor crossed over the railroad tracks, its semi-trailer became stuck.
At this time, the driver disconnected the truck from the semi-trailer. Also at this time, a 2002 General Electric Engine SD70M train, which was hauling 88 freight cars in total, was traveling west and struck the semi-trailer.
The driver of the truck tractor, identified as 65-year-old Willie Edwards of Tulsa, Ok., was not injured. Edwards was cited for disregarding an official traffic control device.
The train engineer, a 45-year-old Beaumont man, was not injured. His passenger, a 47-year-old Conroe man, also was not injured.
This investigation is on-going and there is no further details at this time.