Train Strikes Truck on Decatur Tracks, Disrupting Traffic

The collision happened around 8:45 a.m. at the railroad crossing at North McDonough Street and West Howard Avenue, near Agnes Scott College. The tractor-trailer was stopped on the tracks when the train hit it, Decatur police said. Its driver got out before the impact.

The truck’s cargo, large rolls of paper weighing hundreds of pounds, spilled and required an extensive cleanup. Images from the scene showed cargo scattered near the tracks. Police officers directed drivers around the area as crews responded.

Several Downtown Decatur intersections were closed to traffic: the junction of North McDonough Street with College Avenue, the area around Howard Avenue, and East Trinity Place at South Candler Street. Stone Mountain Trail was also shut between North McDonough Street and Commerce Drive.

Drivers were directed to use the crossing beneath the bridge at Commerce Drive and East College Avenue, or the crossing at Atlanta Avenue and West College Avenue as an alternate route. The extent of any train damage and the cause of the collision were not provided.