Kaitie Vanderpool-
Police responded to a semi/train collision around 7 a.m. today at the Etna Street Crossing in Mentone. The crossing is on a small access road between Ind. 19 and Ind. 25, and according to Sgt. Chad Hill of the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, the crossing prohibits semi traffic. The semi’s driver, David O. Booth, 51, of Florida, disregarded street signs and became lodged on the train tracks with the cab of his semi. Before impact, Booth jumped clear of the cab and was not injured. The semi’s engine was torn from the cab and there was also extensive damage to the train’s engine. KCSD, Mentone Fire and EMS and the Indiana State Police responded. No damage estimate was available this morning. The train is inoperable until it’s inspected and cleared.
