UPDATE: WGNS has more details on the train verses vehicle collision that occurred on Tuesday night at around 10 pm in Murfreesboro. Evidently, the vehicle was driving over the railroad tracks on West Main Street when it got a flat tire, leading to the vehicle getting stuck.
Murfreesboro Police Public Information Officer Larry Flowers told WGNS more details about the accident... Prior to the collision occurring, police had enough time to warn the railroad company about the potential disaster that awaited the freight train conductor... CSX Railroad will be conducting their own investigation into the mishap. Again, the driver and passenger in the vehicle were not injured, but the small sedan was completely destroyed when it was struck by the locomotive.
(MURFREESBORO) It was a harrowing train vs car incident that happened around 10:00 o'clock Tuesday night (3/5/2024), directly after the election count was announced. The situation unfolded at the West Main Street railroad crossing, next to the CSX train depot. Initial reports about the accident were vague with multiple police and first responders on the scene.
Before police were able to confirm if there were any injuries suffered as a result of the collision, WGNS was told by a bystander that the car appeared to have a flat tire and was stuck on the tracks. Fortunately, those in the vehicle had time to escape before an approaching freight train slammed into the stranded vehicle.
Two hours after the car versus train crash, WGNS spoke to Larry Flowers, the Murfreesboro Police Public Information Officer. Flowers said the MPD responded to the train vs car mishap on West Main Street overnight and the car was apparently stalled on the railroad tracks. Flowers confirmed, “The driver was able to get out. The train struck the car. There were no injuries.” Again, the occupants in the vehicle miraculously got out of the car unscathed. Furthermore, they were able to run far enough back to avoid the flying debris caused by the calamity of the cargo train hitting the car.
Long Debris Field - The vehicle was a total loss. In fact, there was a debris field of more than 1,500 feet from the point of impact on West Main Street, which was about 3,200-feet south of the Rutherford County Courthouse.
As you recall, many years ago City officials attempted to negotiate a reduction of the speed at which a CSX freight train travels within the city limits. However, the maximum speed allowed remains at 50 miles per hour.
Special agents from the CSX police department are gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses in the area.
Who Is In Charge of the Investigation - In situations like this, CSX has its own police department and they are the lead agency for incidents that happen on their properties. That includes the railroad tracks and the right-of-way property owned by CSX around that. The jurisdiction of special agents from CSX does not extend beyond their property boundaries.
Assisting at the scene of Tuesday night's crash were Murfreesboro Police, Murfreesboro Fire-Rescue, Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services and CSX Police.
NewsRadio WGNS will keep you informed.
Previous Release: A train hit a car that was on the track at the West Main Street crossing around 10pm. It happened Tuesday night (3-5-24). Not much is known but a bystandar on the scene reported the car had a blowout at the track. While the vehicle was disabled, the train approached, hitting the car. The driver and passenger of the car reportedly were out of the vehicle and away from the car when it was hit. Murfreesboro Police, Murfreesboro Fire and Rescue and Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services were on the scene. We will continue to follow the story as information is released.
