CRESTVIEW — Three people were taken to the hospital Saturday morning after their pickup truck was hit by a CSX train, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Uriel Paredes-Rodriguez, 25, of Freeport, was driving a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche pulling a trailer north on South Rosebud Avenue east of Crestview about 9 a.m. when he didn’t stop at the stop sign on the south side of the railroad tracks, the FHP reported.
The pickup was crossing the tracks when a westbound train driven by 29–year-old Charles Davis of Pace hit its rear passenger-side quarter panel, according to the FHP.
The trailer was severed, and the pickup overturned, ejecting 16-year-old Manuel Rodriguez of Santa Rosa Beach.
Rodriguez was taken to North Okaloosa Medical Center in serious condition. He was the only one in the Avalanche not wearing a seat belt, the FHP reported.
The 88-car train was traveling from Waycross, Ga., to New Orleans, CSX spokeswoman Carla Groleau said.
None of the train’s crew was injured, Groleau said.
Paredes-Rodriguez and another passenger, 26-year-old Jose Maldanado of Santa Rosa Beach, were taken to North Okaloosa Medical Center with minor injuries.
Paredes-Rodriguez was been charged with violation of a railroad crossing and operating a motor vehicle with passenger under 18 not restrained by a seat belt.
