JEFFERSON HILLS, Pa. — Route 51 in Jefferson Hills reopened to traffic Tuesday afternoon after it was shut down for several hours following a fatal accident involving a dump truck and train.
The call came in just before 11:00 Monday night when a truck crashed into the tanker car of a moving Wheeling-Lake Erie train. Police say the truck was dragged on the tracks. We could see it became wedged underneath. The driver of the truck was killed.
Emergency responders evacuated the building next to the track. About 20 employees at KURT J. LESKER COMPANY were forced to leave because of concern that the tanker car containing liquid petroleum gas was punctured, but it wasn’t after all.
Police continue to investigate why the crash happened. Police say the railroad crossing lights were working on one side, but the impact did take out lights on the southbound side. And they’ll have to determine if that side was working.
Throughout the morning specialized equipment was brought in along with railroad workers
to untangle the truck from the train.
Railroad workers also checked the train tracks before Route 51 reopened early afternoon.
For firefighters who were on the scene, it was emotionally draining.
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