The railroad trestle on Horine Road in Festus was damaged this morning (March 8), when a box truck struck it, Festus Police Chief Tim Lewis said.
At 11:30 a.m., Benjamin Newcom, 29, of St. Louis was driving an 18-foot 2003 Ford box truck north on Cromwell Road, and while crossing North Fifth Street to continue north on Horine Road, the top of the truck struck a support beam on the bottom of the trestle, Lewis said.
Then, Newcom tried to back up the truck, and a beam fell off the trestle and struck it, causing “extensive damage” to the front of the truck, which is owned by Crawford-Butz and Associates in St. Louis County, Lewis said.
He said Newcom was not hurt.
Burlington Northern Railroad spokesman Andy Williams said a construction crew was sent to the site to replace the beam and inspect the structural stability of the trestle, and it appears to be sound.
He said one train was delayed while the repairs were made and the inspection was completed, and the railroad reopened at 12:44 p.m.
Lewis said Horine Road was only closed a short period, reopening after the accident investigation and the repairs to the trestle were finished.
Lewis said Newcom was not arrested or cited for the accident.