SLIDELL – An early morning train crash in Slidell caused roadways to be shut down for several hours.
According to Slidell PD, no one was seriously injured in the crash.
Around 9:15 a.m., Slidell Police responded to a train and truck crash at the intersection of Gause Boulevard and Front Street.
The preliminary investigation shows that a 2014 Peterbilt truck, driven by, 43-year-old Lee Henderson Jr. of New Orleans was traveling east on Gause Boulevard and was stopped at a red light. The rear of the truck was stopped on the railroad tracks. As a southbound Norfolk Southern freight train approached the intersection, Henderson was unable to move the truck in time, causing the train to strike the rear of the truck, which was carrying hundreds of tires.
The momentum of the train caused the truck to spin, which then struck a 2001 Toyota Corolla. The driver and passenger of the truck had minor injuries. The driver of the Toyota Corolla was uninjured.
Henderson was listed at fault in the crash, and was cited for Failure to Obey Signal to an Approaching Train.
The law indicates that when there is clearly a visible electric or mechanical signal, any vehicle crossing a railroad crossing must stop within fifteen feet of the track, on either side. A vehicle may not proceed over the tracks until they can safely do so.
The crash caused significant damage to the locomotive of the train, which had multiple intersections shut down for several hours. A replacement locomotive was sent in this afternoon to haul off the crippled train, as other crews picked up the tires and hauled off the wrecked truck. Around 1:00 p.m., the crash was cleared and all intersections were opened.
