Railroad Employee Injured in Semi-Train Collision in Ottertail

OTTERTAIL (KDLM) – The Minnesota Department of Transportation had to temporarily close Highway 78/108 in Ottertail due to a crash involving a train and vehicle, Thursday morning.

Traffic was detoured to city roads and the road remained closed for several hours as the railroad inspected the track and moved the train.

A railroad employee was injured when a semi-truck which belonged to Reinhard Food Services crossed the train tracks and its trailer was struck by an oncoming train.

Food grade restaurant supplies in the trailer were scattered across the area.

The truck driver was uninjured, and the train conductor sustained minor injuries from the impact but didn’t need medical attention.

The driver of the tractor trailer has charges pending for unsafe railroad crossing.