(The following story appeared on the My News 4 website on September 15, 2010.)
Nevada – One lane of US 95 in Churchill County was closed for several hours following the collision of a semi truck and an Amtrak passenger train. A Nevada Highway Patrol press release reports that at about 7:00 am Tuesday, a big rig pulling a flatbed trailer loaded with green plastic pipe was travelling south on US 95. The truck failed to stop for a train that was crossing the two lane highway at a controlled intersection. There are two large towers with lights and crossing bars that were illuminated during the crash.
The driver of the truck applied his brakes and steered right when he saw the train crossing. His truck hit a section of guardrail and then hit one of the towers and stopped his truck before striking the passing westbound train. Pieces of debris struck the train, but no one was injured in the accident.
The driver was cited for failing to use due care by NHP. There was minor damage to the train cars and the truck had to be towed from the scene, because it sustained significant damage.