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Truck hits train, occupants ejected

Posted at 7:57 AM, Apr 17, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-17 07:57:55-04

MARCELLUS TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The driver of a truck that hit a train and left two people critically injured said his brakes failed.

The incident took place around 6 p.m. at a railroad crossing in rural Cass County southwest of Marcellus, Mich., reported the Cass County Sheriff’s Office in a release.

Dustin Hooker, 44, of Battle Creek, was approaching the crossing on Savage Road north of Waterstradt Street when his truck hit a CN train.

Two people in the truck, a Gayland Campbell, 33, of Marcellus, and Paul Smith, 43, of Tekonsha, were both ejected. Smith was airlifted to Bronson Hospital in critical condition; Campbell, in critical condition, and Hooker, who was stable, were taken by ambulance to Bronson.

Investigators do not believe drugs or alcohol were involved, but they noted that only Hooker was wearing seatbelts.