1 Man Jailed, 1 Man Hospitalized After Van/Train Accident

Authorities are investigating an accident involving a car and a train that put a Shellsburg man in the hospital.

It happened at about 6:30pm Monday at the Vinton Street/Shellsburg Road railroad crossing in Palo.

An eastbound van driven by 37 year old Terrance Wright of Cedar Rapids, failed to yield to a southbound Iowa Northern Railway train. The train collided with the van, pushing it into the ditch.

A passenger in the van, 57 year old Brett Opperman of Shellsburg, was taken to St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.

The driver, Terrance Wright, refused medical attention; however, he was taken to the Linn County jail, on charges of Driving While his License is Under Suspension, and Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device.

The Linn County Sheriff noted both occupants were wearing their seat belts. The accident remains under investigation.