On May 4th, around 8 p.m., Yavapai County Sheriff’s deputies responded to Date Creek Road outside Congress to a truck versus train collision. The train had stopped just beyond the initial impact.
Deputies unraveled the scene: 44-year-old Clinton Harry of Hillside had turned off the road and went 150 yards down the train tracks. Unable to drive off the tracks to escape the oncoming train, Harry ditched his truck and escaped on foot before the train collided with his pickup.
Arrested for DUI, Harry could face other charges based on the degree of damage to the train. The initial BAC test came back at more than three times the legal limit.
Fortunately, no one was injured in the crash.
BNSF stopped all trains on that section of tracks while they waited for an inspector to check the tracks for damage and ensure the train remained operable.