MONROE COUNTY, GEORGIA — A Florida truck driver was arrested early Wednesday morning after his semi-truck overturned and struck a train at a railroad crossing in Macon County, causing a train car to derail — and a subsequent investigation found he was driving without a valid commercial driver’s license and had marijuana in his possession.
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded at approximately 3 a.m. on May 6, 2026, to a reported overturned tractor-trailer on Highway 83 North at Berner Loop. The driver, Kheino Bennett, 44, of Riviera Beach, Florida, told deputies he saw the railroad crossing arm down with lights flashing and the approaching train but realized too late that he could not stop in time. He applied his brakes abruptly and steered to avoid the train. The maneuver caused the truck to overturn and strike one of the train’s cargo cars.
Preliminary investigation indicates the impact caused a train car to derail, bringing the train to a stop in the area of Juliette Road and McCrackin Street.
During the investigation, deputies found Bennett was operating the commercial motor vehicle without a valid license or driving privileges. He was also found in possession of less than an ounce of marijuana and drug-related objects.
Bennett was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug-related objects, and operation of a commercial motor vehicle without a valid license or driving privileges.
Highway 83 North at Berner Loop has since reopened. Juliette Road at McCrackin Street remains closed and is expected to remain closed for a lengthy period of time. Drivers are advised to use alternate routes.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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