HUTTO — No injuries were reported after an18-wheeler carrying aggregate dirt was struck by a moving train Monday, Nov. 20.
According to the Hutto Fire Rescue, the truck was traveling northbound on County Road 132 and was stationary on the train tracks near US Highway 79. The train collided with the trailer of an 18-wheeler, knocking the vehicle off the tracks onto the north side of the railroad.
“I don’t know if he was stuck or not,” said Rob Bocanegra, assistant chief of Hutto Fire Rescue. “He just could not get off the tracks by the time the train crossed.”
Bocanegra added that a mechanical failure was not the reason why the truck was stationary.
He added that the truck potentially could have been in that position because the driver could not move further because of traffic, but no reason has been established at this time.
An 18-wheeler was struck by a train in Hutto Monday, Nov. 20. The vehicle was stationary on the railroad track when the collision occurred. Photo by Hunter Dworaczyk
After being pushed off the track, the vehicle appeared to be caught on a pile of railroad ties. Bocanegra said the railroad had recently been worked on, which is why the timber was on the side of the tracks.
There is no reported damage to the train or the track at this time.
“(The train) continued on after the scene was cleared,” Bocanegra said.
Efforts from multiple contributing parties to pull the vehicle off the railroad ties eventually removed the truck from the stack of wood. Two Eagle Towing and Wrecker Service vehicles helped remove the trailer from the truck in the process.
Bocanegra explained that train collisions are not common, but can happen when precaution is not taken.
“Never become stationary on a railroad track,” Bocanegra said. “Always stop before or after so you don’t put yourself in a position like that.”
No injuries were reported in a train and 18-wheeler accident in Hutto. The train and railroad are believed to be unharmed since the train was able to continue once the scene was cleared. Photo by Hunter Dworaczyk
