Highway patrol cites driver of truck hit by train | Transportation

CLEVELAND, NC (WBTV) - A Statesville man who was driving a tractor trailer that was struck by a train in Rowan County Monday morning has been cited by the highway patrol.

Ronald Lee Shoemaker, 41, was driving the tractor trailer when it was hit by a west-bound freight train at the Rowan-Iredell county line off U.S. 70.

The American Cartage truck was carrying an empty container box when it pulled out of the Shaver Wood Products yard just before 10:30 a.m.

The train struck the truck and pushed it onto its side for more than 30 feet.  The truck ended up in an open field where it caught fire.

Three workers from Shaver Wood Products helped pull the driver from the wrecked truck.

Shoemaker was initially transported to Iredell Memorial Hospital and later taken to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston Salem.  He was listed in serious condition as of Tuesday afternoon.

The three Shaver Wood workers were treated at the scene by rescue squad members for smoke inhalation.  One of those men, William Trull, was also taken by ambulance to the hospital.

The highway patrol cited Shoemaker with careless and reckless driving.

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