The driver of a semi is recovering after being hit by a train Tuesday at 2:50 p.m. near 70th and Cornhusker. When officers arrived they spoke with the driver of the semi-truck who stated that he trying to get to the north side of the tracks from the south side to pick up a load. He went southbound in the northbound lanes on N 70th Street to attempt to get to the north lot. The driver stated that as he was on the tracks his truck stalled.
Shortly thereafter, it started running again and was hit by a westbound train. Witnesses reported that the arms for the tracks were already down before the semi-truck had exited the lot to the south. The train’s engineer stated that he saw the arms go down and then the truck appeared in the crossing. He put the train into emergency mode to attempt to stop, however, estimated that the train was still going around 25 mph at the time of the collision.
The driver, a 37-year-old male, was transported by Lincoln Fire and Rescue by ambulance to a local area hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The driver was cited for driving left of center.
The semi-truck had an estimated $10,000 damage and the train engine had an estimated $4,5000 damage.