The driver of a Chevrolet Pickup truck is recovering in the hospital after he drove into the side of a train that was crossing Arizona Farms Road, east of Hunt Highway at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon.
The man reported to deputies on the scene that he fell asleep at the wheel while driving west on Arizona Farms Road, and awoke just before crashing into the side of the train. The driver is identified as Roberto Padilla, 27, a Gilbert resident.
Sheriff Paul Babeu described the collision, saying, “The train was crossing the roadway with the safety arms down and flashing lights activated when the truck slammed into the side of one of the rail cars. It appears the driver attempted to brake, but it was too late to avoid the collision. After striking the train, the truck spun into a railroad control box and the driver was ejected from the truck. When emergency personnel arrived, the driver was conscious, but suffering from head injuries requiring air ambulance transport to a local emergency room.”
The roadway was closed for about two hours while railroad crews repaired the safety equipment and the roadway was cleaned up. No persons on the train were injured. The driver will be cited for the collision.