Gwinnett County

Train hits semitruck in Gwinnett County, splitting it in two

NORCROSS, Ga. — People in a Norcross restaurant say the whole building shook when a train smashed through a truck, sending it onto its side.

Neighbors who live in the area told Channel 2’s Lauren Pozen this type of thing happens all the time at the intersection.

“I heard this thump, thump, thump and I knew it got somebody. This is the worst I have ever seen,” a worker who only identified herself as Sharon said. She works at Dominick’s Italian restaurant near the intersection.

Just before 7 p.m. Friday, police say a moving truck tried to cross over the railroad tracks along Holcomb Bridge Road and South Peachtree Street.

“The truck was stuck on the track. I just heard the noise. I looked up and the train was going 50 to 60 miles per hour,” Sharon said.

Police say the train was too close to stop. When it collided with the truck, officials say the truck was split in two.


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Police said no one was injured in the incident, but multiple cars were damaged in a nearby parking lot.

Investigators are asking drivers to avoid the area while they clean up the aftermath of the wreck.

“It was like a big smash. The train kept going. All of a sudden we saw the truck explode," Sharon said.

The truck was full of home furnishings.

The debris, from a mattress to toys, was scattered all over the area, some hitting people’s cars that were parked in a nearby lot.

“On the side it just got dented, scratched up. My mom said maybe the tire got punched out. We don’t know,” said Cachy Hoyos, whose car was damaged.

No one was hurt. But the crash did affect business in downtown Norcross on one of the busiest nights for restaurants.

“It was so scary because we were afraid someone had really been hurt,” said Sandra Brooks, who owns the Farm House restaurant.

Despite all the signage, the crash is one of a handful that have happened in the area.

Police told Pozen that in most of the cases, drivers are not paying attention to the warnings.

“When are they going to be able to read the sings where it says don’t go over the railroad tracks if you are a semitruck. There are signs everywhere,” Sharon said.

Police said drivers should avoid this area until it is cleared.