A recent incident in Vernon Parish underscores the need for caution at railroad crossings.  There are hundreds of these crossings in West Central Louisiana — some marked with lights and crossing arms, others just lights, and some with just a sign.

Sunday, December 22, at approximately 4:30 p.m., the Anacoco Police Department, Louisiana State Police, Anacoco Fire Department, and CPKC Railroad personnel responded to a report of a northbound CPKC train that had been involved in an incident involving a passenger vehicle. The incident took place on Roy Clark Road and Highway 171 North.

A vehicle was struck in the rear by a train traveling north.  The intersection where that occurred has no crossing arms.  The sole occupant of the SUV was transported to the hospital for treatment of what were called minor injuries.  The accident forced several other crossings to close to traffic because trains could not pass through the site.  The incident remains under investigation.

Please be safe and look both ways when approaching a railroad crossing that has no lights and crossing arms.  When there is a crossing with all the bells and whistles, pay attention.