Just after 7:00 pm Monday, during daylight hours, an 18-wheeler was struck by the locomotive of a Union Pacific train at a crossing in Monroe, Louisiana. The train engine smashed the side of the 18-wheeler tractor causing a diesel fuel leak resulting in severe burns to the truck driver. The train pushed the semi-tractor more than 1,340 feet after impact.
The 18-wheeler driver told investigating deputies that he did not see the train coming. The 18-wheeler is owned by Trans-San, Inc. The investigation is continuing on why the truck driver did not see this train. The investigation should explore whether the truck driver was fatigued, his hours of service, medication, and medical certification.
The investigation should include black box data of the train regarding whether the train horn was timely blown to announce its approach.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2011
