LOGAN — Law enforcement has released the identity of the truck driver who was hit by a freight train in Trenton.
Cache County Sheriff’s Lt. Mikelshan Bartschi said Gary Riddle was driving a white GMC Sierra pickup truck eastbound on 800 South around 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Near 110 West, the truck crossed the railroad tracks in front of the southbound train.
The railroad crossing has a yield sign for automobile traffic but no crossing arms to notify motorists of nearby trains. There are no trees or nearby structures to obstruct the view of the tracks.
The truck was hit on the driver’s side and then pushed off the tracks and down into the barrow pit.
Bartschi said Riddle is a resident of Cache Valley. He was extricated from the truck by emergency responders, and transported to Cache Valley Hospital in critical condition with severe injuries.
The freight train was hauling over 100 cars and was over 9000 feet long. Due to the more than 30 million pounds it was transporting, it took about a half mile to stop after the emergency brakes were activated.
Bartschi said additional investigative steps will still be taken but they will not speculate on any cause of the crash at this time.
According to emergency radio broadcasts, Riddle was later transported to McKay Dee Hospital to receive more critical care.
Bartschi said the crash is a reminder for drivers to pay attention and think train whenever they see tracks. It is also critical to always yield and wear your seat belt.