Fatal 18-Wheeler & Train Collision Takes Place In Suffolk, Virginia | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

According to local news sources, an 18-wheeler truck and a diesel train collided in Suffolk, Virginia, on the afternoon of Thursday, October 4, 2012. One person was killed in the commercial truck accident.

According to the Suffolk Police Department and the Suffolk Fire Department, the collision took place at around 2:30 p.m. near O’Malley’s Used Auto Parts, at 1325 Portsmouth Blvd. The semi truck was traveling east over the railroad tracks when it was struck by the CSX train, which was carrying four railroad cars filled with rocks.

The driver of the tractor-trailer was pronounced dead at the scene of the Virginia truck accident, while the train conductor was evaluated by emergency responders at the scene but not transported to the hospital for serious injuries.

It took several hours to clean the crash debris from the scene of the accident. A CSX crane was brought to the scene to assist with clean-up efforts. The truck accident is still under investigation and it is as of yet unclear why the truck was on the tracks as the train was passing.

Currently, it seems that the accident took place at a privately-owned railroad crossing that was not equipped with safety devices found at many public crossings, including gates and warning lights. In addition, reports say that the intersection has been the scene of similar truck-train collisions in the past.

Virginia truck accident attorney Andrew Kim and the staff of his law office send their deepest condolences to the friends, family, and loved ones of the person who lost his life in this tragic accident.