Alliance man survives car-train collision

BELOIT — The Alliance man whose pickup truck was struck by a train Monday evening has been identified as Tod Husat, said fire Chief Larry Barnett. Husat, 40, of South Freedom Avenue was taken to Mercy Hospital in Canton with a broken femur, bumps and bruises, Barnett said, adding: “He’s really lucky, he should thank the Lord. He shouldn’t be here.” The crash happened off Main Street (state Route 165) just past 6:30 p.m. when Husat pulled his Dodge Dakota onto the tracks headed eastbound. The train, traveling westbound at 60 mph, slowed to 42 mph after the truck was spotted on the tracks, Barnett said. Husat, the chief said, was half on, half off the tracks and the impact with the oncoming train dragged his vehicle about 50 yards. The accident is being investigated by Norfolk and Southern Railroad, Barnett said.