Aggrostats

News Release – April 19, 2011

According to investigating troopers, 42-year-old Leonard Sigler was traveling west on Hudson Darby Road while operating a 2012 Mack tractor trailer when he approached a railroad crossing. Sigler, who noticed the oncoming train, accelerated across the tracks in an attempt to beat the train but was unsuccessful.

The train collided with the middle portion of the trailer causing it to split in half and lose its load of sand. The train sustained damaged to its fuel tanks which resulted in the loss of fuel. Clean up crews were called to the scene to safely remove the spilled sand and fuel.

Sigler and the train conductor were both transported to DeSoto Regional Hospital in Mansfield with minor injuries.

Sigler, who was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, was ticketed for failure to yield to the train at the railroad crossing. The crash remains under investigation.

State Police reminds motorists to always “Look, Listen, and Live,” when approaching a railroad grade crossing. Visit www.oli.org for more information and safety tips for motorists and pedestrians regarding rail safety. A motorist is almost 20 times more likely to die in a crash involving a train than in a collision involving a motor vehicle.

Contact Information:
Tpr. Cordell Williams
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Unit
Office: (318) 741-7411
cordell.williams@dps.la.gov
www.lsp.org