One Injured in Hawkeye Express Crash

PALO, Iowa (KCRG) - Officials said one person was injured after a train, known as the Hawkeye Express, collided with a car in Palo.

The collision happened at the railroad crossing on Vinton Street and Shellsburg Road at about 6:30 Monday evening.

A van driven by Terrance Wright, 37, of Cedar Rapids was driving eastbound on Vinton Street when he failed to yield to the southbound train. The train struck the van causing the van to go into the west ditch. Wright refused medical attention at the scene.

A passenger in Wright’s van, Brett Opperman, 57, of Shellsburg was taken to an area hospital for what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries.

The Hawkeye Express, which began operating in September 2006, is a part of the Iowa Northern Railway Company, according to the company website. It is used during football season to shuttle fans to Kinnick Stadium from parking areas in Coralville.

Wright was charged for driving with a suspended license and failure to obey a traffic control device. He was taken to the Linn County jail.


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