LAFAYETTE, L.a. — UPDATE: Lafayette Police say their investigation has now determined that the driver of an 18-wheeler that was struck by a train Monday morning actually drove around the crossing guard arms.
Originally, police were told the driver tried to beat the crossing guard, and the arms got stuck on his truck. But the investigation has now revealed that the crossing guard arms already were down, but the driver tried to go around them and get over the tracks before the train got there.
The driver, Marquell Ladarriea, was driving for Reinhart Transportation LLC, and received a citation for obedience indicating approach of train.
The crash took place at approximately 7:00 a.m. on Monday, January 16, 2023 in the 700 block of E. Verot School Road and Highway 90.
Sgt. Robin Green of the Lafayette Police told us initially that "the crossing guards for the railroad track were coming down as the driver of the 18-wheeler approached. The driver attempted to cross over the tracks before the train made it to his intersection causing the crossing guards to get stuck to his truck. The 18-wheeler was unable to make it fully across before the train collided with it."
Police also asked that motorists avoid the area while the investigation is underway. As of noon on Monday, the scene was still being cleared.
KATC's Taylor Toole spoke with locals working in the area as first responders, utility personnel, and clean-up crews worked on clearing the area.
Trey Alleman works at a nearby industrial business. He told her while the aftermath was shocking to see first-hand, it was not the first time he's seen something like this in the area.
"There's always something on 90, always," Alleman said. "I think he was just trying to beat the train, you know, the pressure to get somewhere especially when you're a trucker, a truck driver, to get to the location with the load that you've got so there's all kinds of factors to it."
Police agree. Officers told KATC they can recall at least one other crash last year — also involving a train and an 18-wheeler.
No injuries have been reported.
