This story is more like chugga chugga, OH NO. A Virginia man thought he could beat a train across the tracks with his truck, but he was wrong. He was ignoring warning signs when the train crushed his vehicle. 

Virginia man races to beat a train with his truck and fails 

By some miracle, a Virginia man is still alive after attempting to race a train across the tracks with his truck. But he might go to jail. The driver has been identified as 54-year-old John Edward Bates and he caused a violent train strike. 

According to police officers, Bates was driving a 2019 Ford F-350 with a trailer westbound on Milford Road at a private crossing near Bristow Road when he ignored stop signs and warning signs. 

He didn’t beat the passenger train across the tracks and it hit the Ford truck while traveling at 74 mph. The impact rolled the heavy-duty truck to its side and disconnected the trailer. Plus, the front end was crushed like a soda can. 

According to Daily Voice, Bates was recused from the truck with the help of firefighters and rescue crews. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. None of the passengers on the train were injured. 

The crossing is private and isn’t equipped with lowering arms. Reportedly, the conductor sounded the horn before the crash and was able to stop half a mile from the scene. 

Bates failed to follow the posted road signs. Police officers charged him with reckless driving after completing their investigation.