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2 Hospitalized After Train, Truck Collide In Dade City

Photo from Florida Highway Patrol

The crash at Old Lakeland Highway and Holly Lane caused 17 empty coal cars and two locomotives to derail.

By GEOFF FOX | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 3, 2009

Updated: 03/03/2009 12:42 pm

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DADE CITY - The driver of a flatbed truck was in serious condition at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa after the truck was struck by a train this morning.

Kim Jan Nagelhoute, 61, was attempting to pull across railroad tracks at Old Lakeland Highway and Holly Lane about 11 a.m. when the crash occurred, said Sgt. Steve Gaskins, spokesman for the Florida Highway Patrol.

Willie Lee Brown, an engineer on the CSX train, was taken by ambulance to Pasco Regional Medical Center in Dade City; his condition was not immediately available.

Gaskins said Nagelhoute, a driver for Helena Chemical Co., was attempting to turn into the business's driveway when the wreck happened. The crash caused 17 empty coal cars and two locomotives to derail. Tracks were ripped apart and several cars came to a rest side by side.

"It just sounded like all the cars crushing together," said Barry Kahl, who drove a mile from his house to the site. "It went on longer than I thought it would. I was working outside when it happened. It just sounded like a bunch of crashes."

Gary Boggs, who lives about 100 yards from the crash site, said the collision shook his mobile home.

"I just heard a loud boom," Boggs said. "I had the stereo going, so I'm not sure what time it was. My neighbor was working in his yard, and it just went 'kaboom.'"

Gaskins said it could take 24 hours to clear the wreckage and repair the tracks. He said charges are pending against Nagelhoute.

News Channel 8 reporter Katie Coronado contributed to this report. Reporter Geoff Fox can be reached at (813) 779-4613.

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