An Argos man walked away from a Tuesday morning vehicle versus train crash in Marshall County. Joshua Ramer, 33, was crossing the tracks on 18B and Dewberry Roads just before 11 a.m. in a 2005 Dodge pickup truck when the trailer he was pulling got stuck on the tracks. An eastbound Norfolk Southern train hit the truck and trailer, causing extensive damage to both and to the railroad crossing signal.
Officials with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department remind motorists trains cannot stop quickly. A train traveling at normal speed needs almost a mile-and-a-half to stop. Trains can also move in either direction and are often pushed by locomotives rather than pulled. Drivers should never cross tracks unless there is room on the other side to completely clear them. Before crossing, look and listen both ways. Never race a train to the crossing. Also, it’s illegal to go around lowered crossing gates. If a train is approaching, stop at least 15 feet from the rail.
