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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A man died Monday after he drove his truck into a commuter train in Midvale — derailing the train cars and causing major delays, authorities said.
Howard Glenn Hillam, 80, of West Jordan, was driving about 55 mph when his truck smashed through railroad crossing arms that were down and collided with southbound light rail train traveling about 35 mph, said Unified Police Lt. Lex Bell.
Investigators believe he died instantly from the collision, Bell said.
The two train cars were derailed, but the conductor and the nine passengers did not suffer any injuries, he said.
There were major delays on light rail trains Monday as crews worked to get the heavily damaged trains back on the tracks. Passengers had to get off trains at the crash site and take buses to the next train stop to resume their travels, Bell said.
Investigators don't know what prompted Hillam to drive through the railroad crossing arms, Bell said. They were awaiting results from blood tests and an autopsy to determine if Hillam was intoxicated or suffered a medical emergency, Bell said.
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