Part of a major highway in south central Louisiana is closed after a train crashed into a truck that was stuck on the tracks and derailed.
That crash happened around 5 p.m. Monday on LA 182 at the Airport Road rail crossing near New Iberia.
According to video recorded by witness Seth Pattilo, a truck pulling a flatbed trailer with an item on that trailer became stuck on the tracks. The train slammed into the truck’s cab, causing several of the boxcars and at least one tanker car to overturn and fall off the tracks.
Other witnesses at the scene said the driver of the truck got out of his vehicle well before the train crashed into it. Officials say there are no reports of injuries thus far.
Louisiana State Police spokesman TFC Thomas Gossen says the initial assessment of the scene found no leaks, but he added that crews are still on scene performing closer inspections. According to Iberia Parish President M. Larry Richard, the Louisiana State Fire Marshal and several local agencies are on the scene to conduct an investigation and inspection. Richard adds that the final inspection should be completed by the end of the night Monday, allowing authorities to reopen the highway.
