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Police: Truck driver failed to stop before driving into train tracks

By The 2 min read
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An Ohio truck driver allegedly failed to stop for a train in Centerville, leading to a crash that let hydrochloric acid vapors into the air.

Centerville police alleged Jacob T. Shank, 42, of Deerfield didn’t stop his tractor trailer before proceeding over train tracks at Maple Glenn and Low Hill roads in Washington County around 10:30 a.m. March 6. A train hit the truck, which was carrying 4,000 pounds of acid, Lt. Daniel L. Gaso wrote in a criminal complaint.

The crash prompted emergency officials to evacuate 15 homes near the collision because of the fumes from the acid.

Gaso said video taken from the train showed it approaching the intersection at 34 mph, and showed the truck turning onto the tracks.

“It is clear as to the video footage from the train that the tractor trailer never stopped prior to entering the train crossing intersection,” Gaso wrote.

The complaint noted the train’s engineer activated an emergency stop procedure, but was unable to stop the train before hitting the truck. The vehicle was pushed several hundred feet south.

Shank, police said, had to be extricated from the truck. A witness who helped free him told police Shank apologized, saying, “I screwed up,” according to the complaint filed against him.

In an interview with police March 14, Shank reportedly said he brought the truck to a complete stop before crossing into the tracks. He told police that he heard the train’s audible approach signal just before it hit the truck.

Police said Shank had to be flown from the scene and had a left leg injury, broken ribs, a broken sternum and cuts.

The engineer and conductor were trapped inside the train until they could safely exit without exposure to the acid, police said. Both were treated at area hospitals.

Police said the train was headed from Newell to Bailey Mine in Graysville, and Shank was headed to nearby Forum Energy Technologies.

Shank faces felony charges of causing a catastrophe and risking a catastrophe, a misdemeanor count of reckless endangerment and summary citations for disregarding a train, careless driving, reckless driving and not stopping at a railroad crossing while carrying fuel, explosives or radioactive materials.

A warrant was issued by Magisterial District Judge Joshua Kanalis and a preliminary hearing has not yet been scheduled.

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