(Spencer)– An on-duty Iowa State Patrol trooper was seriously injured Monday evening when the squad car he was driving collided with a train at a crossing on a county road near Spencer.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office says the trooper, 38-year-old David Driesen of Orange City, was northbound on the county road and was unable to stop in time to avoid colliding with an Iowa Chicago and Eastern train that was backing westbound.
Driesen was trapped in the car and had to be extricated. He was transported to Spencer Hospital and was transferred to Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls where he’s listed in critical but stable condition with non-life threatening injuries.
No injuries were reported to the train’s engineer, 36-year-old Dean Porter of Mason City.
There was no visible damage to the train’s locomotive and a flat car, which was returned to Mason City for additional evaluation.
The squad car Driesen was driving was totalled.
Authorities say there are no lights or crossing arms at the crossing which is marked only by cross bucks and that there were no reflective markings on the flat car.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on the scene by the Iowa State Patrol, Spencer Fire and Rescue, Spencer Hospital Ambulance, Spencer Police Department and Fostoria Fire and Rescue.
The mishap took place shortly before 9:00 p.m.
It remains under investigation.
