September 1, 2008
by Wainwright Jeffers
Terrell County, GA - (WALB) - The semi was totaled, but amazingly the driver did survive.
About 9:45 Monday morning a semi truck loaded with lumber was headed west on Graves Road came around a curve and crashed into a train.
"It looks like the tractor trailer driver was negotiating a curve and once he came around the curve, once he got around the curve saw a vehicle that was stopped at the railroad crossing, and looked like he didn't have enough time to stop," said Trooper Dexter Cladd.
A pick up truck was stopped at the railroad crossing. Troopers say the driver of the tractor-trailer, 44-year-old Nathaniel Swan of Albany, swerved to avoid hitting the pickup when he hit the train. After the impact Swan was able to make it out.
"My understanding is once the EMS and sheriff s department arrived at the accident scene, the driver was already out of the truck just walking around," said Cladd.
Swan was transporting a load of lumber for Willis Ag Trucking Company. Troopers say speed may not have been a factor in the crash. "It's a good chance he was probably traveling at regular speed, because the speed zone out here is 55 MPH," said Trooper Dexter Cladd.
The Georgia Southwestern Railroad car, which was hit, was carrying sulfur, but its integrity was not compromised. "We do have minor damage, some damage to one of the cars on the train, I m not sure as to the extent."
The trucking company said the loss of the truck and damage is more than one hundred thousand dollars. Swan was taken to Palmyra Hospital to be checked out. Graves Road reopened Momday afternoon.
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