ATLANTA — A driver of a pickup truck slammed into the side of a Norfolk Southern train late Thursday, causing 12 cars to derail in Hall County, Ga., a wire service reported.
Police said the accident happened around 10:20 p.m., prompting officials to evacuate nearly 250 residents in Oakwood. They were taken to South Hall Middle School and allowed to return to their homes about 1:30 a.m Friday.
“We thought we had some chemicals that would be real detrimental to us,” Oakwood Mayor Lamar Scroggs told WSB-TV Thursday night.
No injuries were reported and safety officials determined there were no hazardous materials spilled at the scene.
“When it started, you could hear the whistle blowing,” resident Ricky Hide said. “And, then, two or three minutes later you could just hear it, all of a sudden, just like a grind. You could tell it was something different about it.”
The driver, whose name was not immediately released, is being charged with driving under the influence, police said Friday morning.