Train collides with truck in Kinston Thursday
The intersection of East St. and E. Caswell St. where the collision occurred. Photo by Catherine Hardee / Neuse News
A train collided with a truck in Kinston Thursday afternoon, leading to the traffic delays as the train remained stopped across numerous crossings for several hours. Traffic for Southeast Elementary School was rerouted due to the incident.
After hitting the truck at the intersection of E. Caswell and East Streets, the train came to a stop across Bright St. Photo by Catherine Hardee / Neuse News
Sergeant Ard of the Kinston Police Department said the collision occurred around 2:40 p.m. Thursday afternoon, at the intersection of East St. and E. Caswell St. Ard said the truck, a Ford F-350 driven by Darrell Koonce of Kinston, was waiting for a red light at the intersection, but apparently did not realize the tracks run across the middle of the intersection. The Norfolk Southern train struck the F-350, causing heavy damage, but Koonce was not injured.
Koonce will be charged with a safety violation, Ard said. The train remained where it came to a stop following the collision until approximately 4:30 p.m., closing E. King St., E. Caswell St., East St. and Bright St. Ard said the extended closure was required in order for a train master from Norfolk Southern to come from out of town and check the damage and ensure the train was safe to continue.