‘No sign of anyone’ in truck that hit train

STANWOOD, Wash. – Police say a pickup truck that hit a freight train at a Stanwood crossing had been stolen from a nearby farm – and there’s no indication anyone was inside the truck when the crash occurred.

Investigators found the keys in the ignition of the truck’s mangled wreckage, but there was no sign of blood.

They’re looking for the driver.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe spokesman Gus Melonas said he’s “mystified” by the crash because the pickup had to roll uphill to the crossing.

“There was no sign of anyone in the cab,” he said.

The crash happened at about 1:40 a.m. Melonas said the 43-car train was traveling about 25 mph when the truck hit the seventh rail car from the rear.

The train dragged the truck half a mile. An empty tank car derailed.

The crash delayed a half-dozen trains until the track reopened at 10:30 a.m.

The BNSF line runs from Everett to Canada, and Melonas said about 15 trains a day use that section of track.

There were no automatic warning devices at the intersection, but there were railroad crossing signs.