Busy road shut as train hits truck in Kennesaw

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By David Ibata

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A busy street in downtown Kennesaw remained closed Friday night after a tractor-trailer got stuck on a railroad grade crossing and was hit by a freight train, police said.

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A tractor-trailer was slammed by a train in Kennesaw after the truck became stuck on the tracks. No one was hurt as the driver escaped before the collision.

Channel 2 Action News A tractor-trailer was slammed by a train in Kennesaw after the truck became stuck on the tracks. No one was hurt as the driver escaped before the collision.

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The crash happened about 6 p.m. after a westbound Atlanta Foods International truck got hung up on the Cherokee Street crossing of the CSX Transportation tracks near Main Street, according to Officer Scott Luther, spokesman for the Kennesaw Police Department.

“The trailer’s landing gear got stuck on the tracks, and the train came shortly thereafter,” Luther said. “The driver got out – no injuries. The trailer was carrying food products. It was partially empty.”

Police cited the driver, Alando Hawkins, 44, for failing to heed a crossing signal that warned of an approaching train.

The northbound train smashed into the trailer, missing the tractor. The train remained on the rails. The crew was not injured.

Cherokee was closed between Main and Big Shanty Road, Luther said.

By about 9 p.m., the tractor-trailer had been removed from the tracks, and trains were moving again, but Cherokee would remain closed until CSX completes repairs to the crossing, Luther said.