SCOTTSBLUFF—On Jan. 7 at approximately 2:10 a.m., Scottsbluff PD was dispatched to the intersection of W Railway and W 20th ST in reference to a train vs vehicle collision.
The investigation found that a 2008 white Dodge Nitro driven by Ruben Castillo (M/37/Scottsbluff) was west bound on W 20th ST. Castillo failed to stop at the lowered railroad crossing arms and proceeded to cross the railroad tracks in front of the approaching east bound BNSF train.
The train impacted the Dodge Nitro causing Castillo to be ejected from the vehicle. The Nitro came to rest on the west side of the tracks approximately 25 feet south of W 20th ST. Castillo was transported by Valley Ambulance to Regional West Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Castillo was issued a citation for Driving Under the Influence and Failure to stop at the railroad crossing.
The Nitro was a total loss and was towed from the scene. The BNSF train sustained minor damage and both east and west bound railroad crossing arms were damaged. The crossing was closed during the investigation for approximately three hours. Scottsbluff Fire Department and Valley Ambulance assisted in the response.