Tuesday Truck/Train Collision

No one was injured when a northbound Union Pacific train struck a 2008 Ford truck that pulled into its path at about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. The truck, driven by Curtis Plucker, of Murphysboro, Ill., was thrown off the tracks just east of County Rd. 717, about a mile east of the Hwy. 60/25 overpass. The flatbed trailer it was pulling was detached upon impact. The trailer was carrying a 1,000 gallon water tank that was demolished in the wreck. Union Pacific officials, along with the Highway Patrol and Dexter Police, were on the scene until the debris was cleared and rail traffic could resume. The crossing is marked by crossbucks, but not gates. According to the Highway Patrol, Plucker was approaching the crossing when he noticed the northbound train approaching. He reportedly was attempting to stop when he was struck in the front passenger side.