Jasper County Train Crash Leaves Residents Trapped
NEWTON, Iowa — A train crash on Monday evening left some Jasper County residents stranded for hours after a pickup truck rear-ended a car at a railroad crossing.
The incident occurred around 4:41 p.m. at the Highway T12 crossing near North 39th Avenue E. According to the Jasper County Sheriff's Office, the impact pushed the stopped car onto the tracks just before it was struck by an oncoming train.
The driver of the car, whose injuries are not life-threatening, was taken to the hospital. Authorities identified the pickup driver, 24-year-old Eric Ramos-Lucas, who has been charged with failing to stop in assured clear distance.
The crash caused significant delays, with emergency responders working at the scene. A first responder vehicle also became disabled on the tracks, blocking three crossings until approximately 7:10 p.m.
Residents living north of the tracks reported feeling trapped. Wayne Kono described waiting over two hours to return home after the train stopped. “We do not have back access to our home anymore,” he said, referring to a recently demolished bridge over the North Skunk River.
Mindy Adkison, a local resident, noted the impact of the blockage on emergency access. Some residents have expressed concerns about response times and have urged county officials to find alternative routes.
The Jasper County Sheriff's Office stated that in emergencies, deputies can coordinate with the railroad to expedite access for medical responders. However, residents continue to call for improved access routes as safety concerns linger.