CSX Train Rips Semi Trailer in Half at Somerset Pa. Railroad Crossing

September 27th, 2012 |

SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. — A 53-foot-long tractor trailer carrying mail was sliced in half by an oncoming CSX train on Monday, Sept 24, at a railroad crossing in Somerset, Pennsylvania due to an impatient trucker who thought he could out run the train.

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A semi trailer hauling US Mail was cut in two after a crash with a CSX train in Somerset Township, PA on September 24, 2012. Mail was scattered for miles. According to the USPS, there was no First Class or Express Mail in the truck and that it was carrying 3rd class and bulk mail only.

The accident took place at about 9:55 a.m. at the Pleasant Avenue and Stoystown Road railroad crossing in Somerset Borough. According to state police Trooper Shawn Fabian a car had stopped across from Somerset Milling Co. on Stoystown Road and was waiting for the train when a tractor-trailer driven by 63-year old Gaines Allen Sims of Glen Burnie, Md., came down the hill blowing his horn. The driver of the car got nervous, took off and made it across the tracks. The impatient semi truck driver then tried to out run the train, but the train cab, which was pulling 14 rail cars, ended up splitting the trailer in half.

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Map showing location of a CSX train crash with a tractor trailer in Somerset Township, PA on September 24, 2012 at the Stoystown RD and N Pleasant Ave rail crossing.

No injuries were reported at the time of the incident.

Sims told officers that he did not see any flashing red lights, signs or signals and that he did not see the train coming. Fabian said the truck driver is facing numerous traffic violations.

The CSX conductor was identified as Robert Mongelluzzo of Fayette County. Mail was strewn everywhere as a result of the accident, but Mongelluzzo did not want to comment to the media.

Somerset Postmaster Officer David Leventry arrived on the scene speaking to witnesses and taking photographs as part of an investigation. He called a crew in to clean up the mail.

The incident remains under investigation at this time.

Posted by Gordon, Elias & Seely, a FELA lawyer and railroad injury lawyer blog that publishes train accidents and FELA legal news from across the United States.