Man charged with driving under the influence after hitting freight train

Who rammed whom?


Bloomington, IN

A man was charged with driving under the influence after his pickup truck rammed a freight train Saturday afternoon on Bloomington’s west side, police said.

Joel Beland, 30, of Heyworth was arrested after allegedly hitting the eastbound train at a crossing near Lee and Water streets, said Bloomington Police Lt. Pete Avery. Norfolk Southern Railroad officials called police at 1:55 p.m.

Beland was apparently trying to go over the crossing in his Chevrolet pickup when he made contact with the train, police said. Beland continued to drive east on an adjacent track, glancing off two stationery boxcars. He then attempted to leave the tracks but was unable to drive over a rail, Avery said, and he arrested a short time later. More >>