Crash Between Truck and Union Pacific Train Kills Driver, Derails 20+ Rail Cars

East Montgomery County Fire Department

A truck driver was killed, and several freight train cars were towed away in a collision northeast of Houston on Monday morning.

Shortly before 7:30 a.m. on Monday, Interstate 69/U.S.A., a collision between an 18-wheeler train and Union Pacific train occurred. According to Lt. Troy Teller, Splendora Police Department. According to Teller, 21 train cars were damaged in the collision. Union Pacific’s hazardous materials team was also on-site and monitored air quality for precaution.

Robyn Tysver, spokesperson for Union Pacific, confirmed that Union Pacific’s hazmat teams were present at the scene and that approximately 100 gallons diesel fuel had been released by the truck involved.

“From what we’re being told and shown, there’s no major chemicals to be concerned about,” Teller said. “It’s more so household chemicals on board for retail purposes. It’s not a large quantity from what we’re being told.”

According to an East Montgomery County Fire Department Facebook post, the driver of the 18-wheeler was killed in the accident. Tysver said there were no injuries among Union Pacific’s train crew. According to Teller, there were no other injuries or fatalities in the crash.

The Texas Department of Transportation reported that traffic on I-69/59 main lane had been reopened by 11 AM Monday. But Teller indicated that northbound feeder roads between Fostoria, East River Road, and the south were expected to remain closed until Tuesday morning. According to Teller, Midline Road will remain closed until 3:00 p.m. Monday. Residents who live near Midline will have temporary access to the road.

Teller indicated that the tracks running along the highway were expected to remain inoperative until Tuesday morning. She also stated that several feet had been damaged and would need to be replaced.

As of Monday morning, the causes of the accident were still being investigated. Teller claimed that there are no railroad crossing arms near the intersection where the collision occurred. There is only a railway cross yield sign.

“The 18-wheeler was attempting to cross that section when he made contact with the train,” Teller said. “It’s undetermined whether the horn was blown or not.”

This report was contributed by Matt Harab