Footage shared online shows a train colliding and splitting an 18-wheeler in half in Buford, Georgia, with several witnesses in the area able to record and react to the incident. Apparently, this is not the first time that a crash of this nature has happened at the exact same location.
According to WSBTV, the incident took place at around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, at the intersection of Little Mill Road and West Main Street. Shocking footage of the impact shows the Norfolk Southern train unable to slow down in time, resulting in a violent crash that split the tractor-trailer in half.
Video shared by an X account named Everything Georgia shows at least two people being present in the area, able to record and react in expletive terms to the crash. The train, as it approached the tractor-trailer, buzzed its horn to no avail. As it smashes through the 18-wheeler, it begins to slow down before the video cuts off.
According to the Gwinnett County Police Department, and reported by Access WDUN, the incident took place after the tractor-trailer driver refused to acknowledge the signs specifically discouraging them from attempting to cross the train tracks. This, as the video shows, inevitably caused it to be stuck in the middle of the tracks. Fortunately, however, no one was injured as a result.
Potential Causes And A Similar Incident
While there is no information available regarding the exact cause of the crash or the identity of the driver, there are many possibilities that could explain what could've been wrong. According to Rhoads & Rhoads, warnings and communication problems, including signage, are one of them. Others include mechanical or electrical failures, maintenance problems, and, of course, human error, among others.
Particularly, it appears this intersection is not the most secure around. According to the North Gwinnett Voice, a similar incident took place at the same intersection back in September 2021. At around 2 p.m. on Thursday, September 2, 2021, a truck became stuck at the train tracks in the intersection. This led to a Norfolk Southern train, just like the one on Tuesday, to crash into the tractor-trailer. No injuries were reported at the time.
