Up to 21 rail cars derail when train, saltwater truck collide

CADDO PARISH, LA (KSLA) - A saltwater truck attempted to cross in front of a Union Pacific train.

That caused the locomotive and 12-15 railcars to derail at the front of the train; another half dozen derailed at the rear, the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office reports.

As a result, Caddo Fire District 5 personnel took the engineer to Willis-Knighton Pierremont for treatment of unknown injuries.

The driver of the saltwater truck was not injured.

Meantime, an 18-mile section of Louisiana Highway 1 in Caddo and Red River parishes has been shut down.

The collision happened at 4:56 p.m. at LA 1 at Yearwood Road in the Caspiana area of Caddo Parish, Caddo 911 dispatch records show.

Deputies on the scene said that there are no confirmed hazardous material leaks and that no evacuations have been ordered, Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Cindy Chadwick said.

Sixteen Caddo sheriff’s units and four Caddo Fire District 5 units still are on the scene.

Closed is the section of LA 1 between Louisiana Highway 175 in Caddo Parish and Louisiana Highway 509 in Red River Parish, according to Louisiana State Police.

One possible detour route is via Louisiana Highway 509 and Interstate 49 in DeSoto Parish.

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office reports that southbound traffic is being diverted at LA 1 at LA 175.

Ellerbe Road also is closed at LA 1.

Also on the scene or requested to respond are railroad officials, Red River sheriff’s deputies and Louisiana highway workers.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

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