According to state police, the driver was not in the vehicle at the time of the accident on Highway 182. Also, state police issued the driver a citation for wrongfully driving on a roadway. The driver was carrying an oversized load and tried turning into a narrow street, then the 18-wheeler was caught on the train tracks.
New Iberia, (KADN) On Monday afternoon an 18-wheeler was struck by a train after being caught on the train tracks.
According to state police, the driver was not in the vehicle at the time of the accident on Highway 182. Also, state police issued the driver a citation for wrongfully driving on a roadway. The driver was carrying an oversized load and tried turning into a narrow street, then the 18-wheeler was caught on the train tracks.
According to the State Department of Environmental Quality, of the 16 tankers cars that derailed, only three are leaking liquid plastic onto Highway 182.
Crews have been on scene cleaning the leaking plastic since Monday at 5:00 pm.
“It’s a safe Location but things could happen. We could Run into some difficulties and the roads will be closed for quite a while. So we are asking everyone who is just coming pass by just to take a look please don’t do that. We will give you the updates as we get them,” Tommy Romero.
West Admiral Doyle Dr. is the alternate route drivers can use to enter into New Iberia.
After seeing the 18-wheeler struck by the train, a resident who lives along Highway 182, says he isn’t surprised by the derailment.
“Something needs to be done about the track, because in that area on 3 or 4 different occasions I’ve seen where an 18-wheeler got stuck going across the track,” said Vernon Mitchell.
While having to use alternate routes because of road closures on highway 182 is an inconvenience, Mitchell says he has no problem doing so, as long as he’s safe.
“If I wasn’t aware of the roads it would be something different. I’m aware of the roads so it doesn’t matter if I have to go around for a couple of minutes to make it somewhere safe, I’m willing to do that,” said Mitchell.
