Train hits car; one injured

TOWN CREEK - One man was injured when a train crashed into his SUV on Sunday afternoon in Town Creek, according to relatives and officials.

Danny Turner, 46, Munford, stopped his Suzuki SUV in the middle of railroad tracks and was struck by an eastbound train about 4:10 p.m., according to Jim Currens, Town Creek police officer at the scene.

"The man was looking eastbound (away from the train)," Currens said, then tried to reverse his vehicle when he noticed the approaching train.

The train struck the SUV, which then rolled several times.

Turner was airlifted to Huntsville Hospital, where he was listed in good condition Sunday night.

Norfolk Southern, which owns the railroad, had investigators at the scene who were unavailable for comment. The track manager, who declined to give his name, said it was company policy not to comment on ongoing investigations.

Patricia Swoopes, Turner's former sister-in-law, said Turner had dropped off his children at their mother's house and was on his way to work a night shift in Talladega.

Swoopes said she did not witness the accident, but heard a loud boom and arrived in time to see Turner walk away from the wreck and collapse in her nearby yard.

"We heard the crash but we didn't hear a train blowing," Swoopes said, as did several relatives.

The impact tore off the front of the SUV, which landed about 20 feet from the road. The right wheel was cut in half and the smell of gas permeated the accident scene.

"Golly, he's lucky to be alive," Swoopes said. "That was his baby. Three months, he would have had it paid."

Trevor Stokes can be reached at 740-5728 or trevor.stokes@TimesDaily.com.