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Truck driver cited after train strikes semi-trailer along U.S. Hwy 90 Wednesday morning

The trailer was struck at at the crossing at Thompson Road near China.

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.

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.

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