Train slams into semi-truck at crossing near Pringle Road and County Road 70

The train stopped after the accident and remained idle for nearly four hours as UP officials gathered details and investigated. 

 The truck driver was identified as Pedro Ramirez, 59, from Sanger, Calif. He was the only person in the truck and was not injured in the accident. 

 Washington County Sheriff Matt Thomas said the driver told authorities on the scene that he did not see the train and basically rolled through the stop sign onto the railroad track. 

 Along that stretch of track, trains can be moving at speeds of up to 55 miles per hour, he said.

 A check of the truck driver’s license revealed he was wanted on an outstanding warrant out of Power County for a commercial driving violation, authorities said. The bond amount on the warrant was set at $300.

 The driver was transported and booked into the Washington County Jail. He also was cited for failure to stop at a stop sign.

 The railroad crossing was reopened at noon. A temporary stop sign was put up at the crossing to warn drivers until a new permanent sign could be installed. 

 The train continued when a new crew arrived to take over train operations, which is standard operating procedure.