Mukwonago fatal train-vs-truck accident; 82-year-old man dead
Mukwonago fatal truck-train crash
An 82-year-old Waukesha man is dead after his truck was hit by a train in Mukwonago.
MUKWONAGO, Wis. - An 82-year-old Waukesha man is dead after his truck was hit by a train in Mukwonago.
Village of Mukwonago police say the family showed up at this crossing after receiving an alert from the driver’s cell phone.
The crossing was closed to traffic for more than four hours.
Mukwonago train accident
Emergency responders were called to an accident involving a train in Mukwonago on Friday, Oct. 3.
Train crashes into truck
What we know:
"I feel sick to my stomach," said Mukwonago resident Katherine Schoof.
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It was a sight on Friday morning that left many with dread.
Just before 9:30 a.m., a southbound Canadian National Railway train hit a black pick-up truck.
"This is a first. I’ve lived out here for many years. I’ve never seen anything like this," said Schoof.
It happened at the crossing on Bayview Road. Police say the 82-year-old driver of the truck died.
Police say the train was two locomotives and 68 cars long.
"It looks like it got pretty good on the driver’s side," said Schoof.
FOX6 cameras were on scene when the pickup was towed.
It was our first look at the damage, broken glass, and twisted metal from headlights to the tailgate.
Damaged truck
"Thoughts and prayers are definitely with the person and family in that truck," said Schoof.
Police note there was no damage to the crossing gate. Railway workers tested it once the scene was clear.
"It’s normally pretty safe," said Schoof.
Federal Railroad Administration data finds 19 Wisconsin incidents involving trains hitting vehicles or pedestrians at gated crossings since the end of July.
"Vehicle versus train never really works out," said Schoof.
The crossing is marked with a "no train horn" sign.
Village of Mukwonago police are still looking into the cause of the crash.
There was no damage to the crossing gate, and the train has since left the scene.
Mukwonago police and the Wisconsin State Patrol are investigating the crash.
The cause of the crash is still unknown at this time.
The Source: This post was produced by FOX6 News, with information from the Village of Mukwonago Police Department.