Published: November 19, 2009 01:24 pm      

Railroad crossing could remain closed for days

MORRISON, Ill. — Morrison police say a railroad crossing in the city could remain closed until next week, following an accident early Thursday in which a train struck a semi truck.

No injuries were reported following the accident at the Jackson Street railroad crossing in Morrison. The Whiteside County Sheriff’s Communications Center received an emergency 911 call around 6 a.m.

Darrell L. Harper, 43, of Columbus, Ill., was driving his semi truck northbound on Jackson Street, and his truck stalled on the railroad tracks, according to police reports. Harper was able to escape the truck before it was struck by a Union Pacific train traveling eastbound on the north set of tracks.

Assisting the Morrison Police Department at the scene were the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office, Morrison Fire Department, Morrison Community Hospital Emergency Services and Morrison Public Works.

Police diverted traffic from the railroad crossings at Cherry Street and Jackson Street following the accident as they cleaned up the scene. According to police, the Jackson Street railroad crossing will be closed until Union Pacific repairs damage to the tracks.

The Morrison Police Department is continuing to investigate the crash.