GAINESVILLE, Fla. — According to the Gainesville Times, a Gainesville man is counting his blessings after his truck and a train collided about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Georgia State Patrol operator Kelly Brookshire said an eastbound 1992 Dodge Dakota driven by Grover Allen Jr., 66, of Gainesville was struck by a southbound Norfolk Southern train at the Tumbling Creek Road crossing near Oakwood. Joe Strickland, 56, of Gainesville, was Allen’s passenger.
Allen knew he was in trouble when he saw the train out of the corner of his eye.
“When I went across the track, it got me,” he said. “Bam.”
Brookshire said the train hit the front of Allen’s car and spun it off the tracks.
“We were very, very lucky,” Allen said. “The good Lord was with us.”
Both men were treated and released from the emergency room at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Reached at his home, Allen said he was OK, but “sore and hurting” from broken ribs and a head injury.
Allen’s truck suffered moderate damage, Brookshire said. The train had minor damage, she said.
Last May, numerous cars in a Norfolk Southern train derailed in Oakwood after a truck, driven by Michael Lee Walker, allegedly ran a stop sign around 10 p.m. at Allen and Railroad streets, hitting one of the train’s wheels. More than $1 million in damage resulted. Walker, who was not injured, is scheduled to face DUI charges Feb. 6 in Oakwood City Court.
Brookshire said Allen would be charged with failing to yield at an intersection.
Allen said he and Strickland, who was smoking, were talking as they drove to get something to eat. Strickland’s window was partially open.
But the driver, Allen, said he did not hear the train.
An automated gate does not protect the crossing, but a stop sign is posted, Brookshire said.
Allen said he knew the tracks were there. But he only slowed to 20-25 mph, he said.
“I was not expecting a train,” he said. “I was expecting a whistle.”