Press Release

AUBURN — Indiana State Police are currently investigating a semi versus train accident in eastern DeKalb County.

Around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, officers from the ISP Fort Wayne Post and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department responded to a reported semi versus train crash at the rail crossing on CR 63, near SR 1, DeKalb County. Upon arrival, officers found a semi-tractor/flat bed trailer pushed over onto the rail crossing cantilever assembly. The semi-trailer had damage to the passenger side, but the tractor was not damaged. The train was stopped on the tracks, with no derailment or loss of load issues.

Senior Trooper Anthony Canul’s preliminary investigation revealed that at the time of the accident, the rail crossing arms were down and the flashing red warning lights were activated. A 2007 Kenworth semi-tractor/trailer, driven by Anthony Ball, 59, Rochester, was stopped at the tracks, north on CR 63, and then disregarded the crossing arms. Ball attempted to drive his semi around the crossing arms and across the tracks.

The rail crossing arms were activated because there was a westbound CSX train approaching the CR 63 crossing at a reported 36 mph. Ball’s semi-tractor cleared the tracks ahead of the train, but the semi-trailer did not. The train crashed into the rear of the flatbed semi-trailer, pushing it over and onto the railway cantilever/crossing arm assembly on the north side of the crossing. The impact heavily damaged that cantilever assembly.

Fortunately, there were no injuries sustained during this crash, only property damage. Ball’s semi-tractor was driven from the scene, but the trailer had to be towed. The CSX train remained operable after the crash and was eventually able to continue on its way.

CR 63 will be shut down for several days for needed repairs and replacement of the rail crossing cantilever assembly.

Senior Trooper Canul was assisted at the scene by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, Southeast Fire Department, and Riverside Towing.