Stopped in their tracks

Truck-train accident snarls West Side traffic

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Traffic along a busy West Side corridor was held up for more than 90 minutes Tuesday by an accident between two very large but different modes of transportation.

An Ohio Central System train traveling across Meridian Road near Vestal Road about 1:45 p.m. Tuesday hit a tractor-trailer broadside, damaging the truck and putting the brakes on traffic. There were no injuries.

Police said witnesses claim the train was traveling with visible lights and making a considerable amount of noise before the accident. Officers did not speculate as to why the truck was pulled in front of the moving train.

There are no gates at the crossing to block traffic when a train is approaching.

Police said the train appeared to have been traveling at low rate of speed and did not hit the 2001 Peterbilt, which has plates from Minnesota, with very much force.

The truck was left leaning to one side with displaced tires on its rear. The vehicle had to be towed from the scene.