CHESAPEAKE, VIRGINIA — A Norfolk Southern freight train slammed into a septic truck at a private railroad crossing on Yadkin Road in Chesapeake Thursday afternoon, splitting the truck’s tank from its cab, sending both careening into a ditch, and spewing sewage across the roadway. The driver — who preliminary findings suggest blew through a posted stop sign — was initially listed in critical condition but was upgraded to stable by Friday.
The collision occurred at approximately 4:46 p.m. on May 14 at the Yadkin Road crossing at milepost N9.9. The crossing has no arms or warning lights — only a stop sign. Norfolk Southern confirmed the eastbound train was involved. No train crew members were injured.
What the Video Shows
The collision was captured on video by Azuriah O’Daniel, a train enthusiast who was out recording trains passing by — a hobby he said he has never seen turn into anything like this.
O’Daniel said he did not even notice the truck until it was already crossing the tracks. The train, traveling at speed, struck the rear of the truck with enormous force. The impact tore the septic tank completely from the cab, sending both sections spinning into a ditch. The tank ruptured on impact, sending sewage spilling and spraying across the road and into the air. The truck also knocked over a nearby tree during the collision.
“It busted the septic tank on it, the hoses fell off — like the hoses completely flew off — the impact was crazy,” O’Daniel said. He added that the train’s horn was blaring loudly before the crash, but given the speed of the train, stopping in time was never a possibility. “I don’t think a lot of people realize that they’re not cars, they don’t have rubber tires, it’s steel rails with steel wheels. When you grind those two together, that’s just instant sparks,” he said.
O’Daniel said the crossing’s lack of warning gates concerned him. “When you go to a train crossing, please always stop and look and listen, always, because sometimes railroad crossings malfunction too. They won’t go down sometimes,” he said.
The Driver’s Condition
The male driver was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Chesapeake Police provided an update Friday that he had been upgraded to stable condition. His identity has not been released.
The Investigation
Chesapeake Police officers found a minor fuel-related hazmat situation at the scene. Officials said there was no immediate danger to the public. Preliminary findings indicate the truck failed to stop at the posted stop sign before entering the crossing. The crash remains under investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to call 888-LOCK-U-UP, submit a tip at P3TIPS.COM, or use the P3TIPS app.
Eyewitness interview courtesy of local media.
📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.
