An 18 wheeler was demolished by this train engine.
Logging Truck Annihilated by Train, NEW WILLARD, June 18, 2009 - At approximately 7:20 am on June 18, 2009 a white 2004 Freightliner Western Star truck hauling logs and driven by Darrel Cathey, 45, of Trinity, was east-bound on Brent Road, just off of Loop 116, and attempted to cross over railroad tracks onto Loop 116. Cathey failed to yield right-of-way an oncoming south-bound Union Pacific train. The train slammed into the truck with Cathey inside and completely annihilated the truck. According to witnesses, after the collision, Cathey crawled out from the wreckage and stood on his own. DPS Troopers Brent Murray and Nita Bowen were dispatched to the scene along with Americare Ambulance Service. The truck was owned by Minter Trucking Company, Inc. out of Groveton, Texas. Cathey was transported to Livingston Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Traffic on Loop 116 was not blocked during investigation and cleanup. Cathey was issued a citation for failure to yield right-of-way to a train. Minter Trucking did have insurance on the truck. The remains of the rig were recovered by a heavy duty wrecker from Riley Wrecker Service out of Corrigan. The scene was cleared before 11 am. Just seven days earlier, there was another train/vehicle accident, this time involving a pickup truck in Livingston.
A special Thank You to Tres Harrison and a special Thank You to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Livingston.
The trailer portion of the rig remained in place and nearly intact.
There were railroad crossing signs and a clear view in both directions.
The collision easily tossed the massive diesel engine out and away from the truck.
Amazingly, Darrel Cathey crawled out from the wreckage and stood on his own.
Truck parts were strewned about the scene.
Train tracks run paralell with Loop 116 in New Willard.
Even an 18 wheeler is no match for an oncoming train.
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