Published: August 15, 2008 10:51 pm         

Pimento man injured in truck, train accident

BLACKHAWK — A Pimento man remained in Methodist Hospital late Friday after his pickup truck was struck by a train while crossing railroad tracks near Blackhawk.

According to an accident report issued by the Vigo County Sheriff’s Department, Samuel “Jay” Scamihorn, Pimento, 65, disregarded a signal at the railroad crossing on All Street near Indiana 159 about 6:40 p.m. Thursday.

Engineer Travis Alumbaugh told deputies that the train was headed south at between 37 and 40 mph when he saw a truck heading north on All Street about to cross the tracks.

Alumbaugh said he blew his horn for about 16 seconds and sounded his bell before the collision.

According to Alumbaugh, Scamihorn’s vehicle did not stop at a stop sign before the tracks.

Scamihorn’s account was unavailable for the report, deputies wrote, as he was being taken to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis via a helicopter.

A neighbor told deputies after the accident he heard the train whistle blow from inside his house before hearing the loud crashing-thud noise of the impact.

Scamihorn suffered a broken sternum. A condition update was not available.