Deputy involved in freight train crash in southern Martin County

MARTIN COUNTY — A freight train crashed with a deputy’s patrol car early Monday resulting in the deputy being taken to a hospital with minor injuries, law enforcement officials said.

Fire rescue officials responded around 4:45 a.m. Monday to a crash involving a freight train and a sheriff’s deputy’s vehicle on Southeast County Line Road in southern Martin County.

The deputy had minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital. The freight train did not have significant damage, said Fire Rescue spokesperson Cory Pippin.

The road patrol deputy had received a call of a burglary in progress off of Southeast County Line Road and was traveling west on that road in response, according to Sheriff John Budensiek. The deputy’s car got stuck on the railroad tracks just west of North Old Dixie Highway.

“A couple of the arms had gone down already, but there was enough of them still up for him to try to weave his way through the crossing,” Budensiek said. “As he started to weave his way through, the other arms went down, and then he was stuck completely in the track.”

The deputy was unable to exit the vehicle before the northbound freight train struck it.

Budensiek said the deputy was taken to the hospital to be evaluated. The rear of the vehicle was destroyed and for the most part, the vehicle is totaled.

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Olivia Franklin is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Olivia on X @Livvvvv_5 or reach her by phone at 317-627-8048. E-mail her at olivia.franklin@tcpalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Martin sheriff’s patrol car, freight train crash; deputy injured