Train crashes into semi truck

VERMILION TWP. — A Norfolk Southern train crashed into a semi-truck Wednesday in Vermilion Township. The crash happened at a private roadway crossing the railroad tracks on Frailey Road shortly before 1 p.m., Erie County Sheriff Paul Sigsworth said. When a deputy responded to the scene, the official observed a tractor-trailer combo overturned on an access road for Willoway Nurseries facing northbound near a railroad crossing, according to a sheriff's office crash report. The driver of the semi said that he was stopped at the stop sign south of the railroad crossing, continued traveling northbound across the railroad tracks and was struck by the train, the crash report states. The semi-driver believed he had enough time to cross. Ultimately, the trailer was severed in half, and the rear portion was located on the southeast side of the tracks, the report states. The train involved in the collision suffered damage to its windshield and a bent handrailing. The semi driver was not injured and the train conductor suffered a minor cut, the crash report states. Both were treated at the scene by Vermilion Township firefighters.