KIRO 7 Now
Derailment: The driver of a tractor-trailer that caused a train to derail last month was arrested on three charges. (Bob D'Angelo/Cox Media Group)
COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. — A northeast Georgia man was arrested in connection with a train that derailed after it collided with the tractor-trailer he was driving, authorities said.
>> Read more trending news
According to a news release from the Collegedale Police Department, Jorge Luis Cruz-Vega, 64, of Martinez, was charged with failure to yield, a registration violation and felony reckless endangerment.
Police said that Cruz-Vega was driving a tractor-trailer carrying a 137-foot concrete bridge beam across a railroad crossing at about 12:30 p.m. EST on Dec. 20 in Collegedale east of Chattanooga.
An investigation revealed that Cruz-Vega proceeded across the railroad crossing behind his first escort car without first checking to make sure the tractor-trailer could completely clear the tracks, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reported.
Police said that Cruz-Vega had stopped halfway across the tracks, bringing his tractor-trailer into the on-coming lane of traffic instead of his own travel lane, according to the newspaper. Fire officials said the tractor-trailer was waiting for a traffic light to turn green when a Norfolk Southern railroad system activated its crossing arms, according to the newspaper.
The tractor-trailer and the 106,000-pound concrete bridge beam were struck by the train, causing three of the train’s engines and 10 of its rail cars to leave the tracks, the News Free Press reported.
The train’s engineer and conductor were taken to an area hospital with injuries.
Not even kidding! Don’t go into Collegedale this afternoon. #collegedale @newschannelnine pic.twitter.com/qtmEqmxbBy
The crash happened near McKee Foods, where Little Debbie’s snack cakes are manufactured, WTVC reported.
Cruz posted $10,000 bail and will appear in court on April 12, the Times Free Press reported.
©2022 Cox Media Group
© 2022 Cox Media Group. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices.
