TOPTON, Pa. (AP) - A Florida man accused of leaving his tractor-trailer unattended on eastern Pennsylvania railroad tracks moments before it was struck by a freight train has been charged with risking and causing a catastrophe.
Sixty-five-year-old Alton L. Russell of Daytona Beach, Florida is also charged in Berks County with criminal mischief, recklessly endangering another person and related offenses.
State police said Russell had parked the 18-wheeler on the tracks in Topton shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday to ask directions. Police said the rig was split in two and the crash also caused about $35,000 damage to the Norfolk Southern train and the crossing’s warning lights.
Russell remained in custody in lieu of $50,000 bail; court documents don’t list an attorney and a listed phone number for him could not be found Thursday.
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