Early Friday morning, a Norfolk Southern train struck an 18-wheeler truck carrying vehicles at the railroad crossing on Covington Highway at Turner Hill Road in DeKalb County, Georgia. The collision occurred after truck driver Toree Davis discovered his car-hauling trailer was too high to safely clear the tracks and became stuck on the crossing. According to Davis, he realized the truck was trapped and immediately saw the railroad crossing lights begin flashing, signaling an approaching train. Davis escaped the vehicle moments before impact, which split the commercial truck completely in two—separating the trailer from the cab and scattering them on opposite sides of the tracks. Several vehicles being transported on the trailer appeared undamaged despite the violent collision. The Georgia Department of Transportation responded to the scene along with emergency personnel, though the timeline for clearing the railroad crossing remained uncertain as of Friday morning. Davis, visibly shaken but uninjured, expressed gratitude for his survival, stating he saw his "whole life flash" before him. Information regarding potential injuries to train crew or passengers was not immediately available.

Location and Infrastructure

The accident occurred at the intersection of Covington Highway (U.S. Route 278) and Turner Hill Road in DeKalb County, a busy commercial corridor in the eastern Atlanta metropolitan area. This railroad crossing serves as an active freight line with regular train traffic passing through a developed area with numerous businesses and residential neighborhoods nearby. Covington Highway is a major east-west arterial road carrying significant commercial truck traffic between metro Atlanta and communities to the east. Railroad crossings in this area are equipped with standard warning devices including flashing lights and bells to alert motorists of approaching trains. The clearance height at railroad crossings can pose challenges for oversized vehicles, particularly car-hauling trailers and other tall commercial trucks. This incident highlights the critical importance of commercial drivers accurately assessing crossing clearances before attempting to traverse railroad tracks, especially along routes with heavy freight rail activity.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Georgia law requires motorists to stop between 15 and 50 feet from railroad tracks when signals indicate an approaching train (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-142). Commercial truck drivers have additional responsibilities under federal and state regulations to ensure their vehicles can safely clear all obstacles, including railroad crossings. When railroad crossing accidents occur, liability may involve multiple parties including the driver, trucking company, railroad company, and potentially governmental entities responsible for crossing maintenance and signage. Victims of train-vehicle collisions may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering under Georgia's comparative negligence system. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Georgia is generally two years from the date of the accident (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33). Commercial trucking accidents often involve complex insurance coverage including the truck driver's policy, the trucking company's commercial liability insurance, and potentially the railroad's insurance. Anyone involved in or injured by a railroad crossing accident should document the scene thoroughly and consult with legal counsel experienced in transportation accidents.

Related Resources

• DeKalb County Police Department: (404) 294-2911
• Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT): 511 travel information, www.511ga.org
• Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety: Railroad crossing safety information
• Georgia Operation Lifesaver: Railroad safety education and awareness program
• Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety: Traffic safety resources and data
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): Vehicle and highway safety information
• Georgia Official Code (Traffic Laws): Title 40 - Motor Vehicles and Traffic
• American Red Cross of Georgia: Disaster relief and victim services
• DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency: Emergency preparedness and response coordination