PHOTO VIA THE JASPER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE Two Marshalltown drivers in separate vehicles were involved in a crash with a train at a railroad crossing northeast of Newton on Monday, and one was cited for failing to stop within an assured clear distance.

NEWTON — Two Marshalltown drivers in separate vehicles were involved in an accident involving a train northeast of Newton on Monday afternoon, according to a press release issued by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.

The incident occurred on County Highway T12 N near N 39th Ave E. At approximately 4:44 p.m., Jasper County Communications took a 911call of a car vs locomotive personal injury accident at the Highway T12 North railroad crossing near North 39th Avenue East northeast of Newton.

“Due to the locomotive being 6800 feet (long), the crossings at Hwy T12 N, Iris Ave, and Iowa St. were all impacted for a significant amount of time,” the release reads.

During the course of the investigation, it was determined that a 2016 Dodge Dart driven by George Makulu, age 29, of Marshalltown was stopped at the flashing light crossing headed southbound when his vehicle was struck from the rear by a 2007 GMC Sierra driven by Eric Ramos-Lucas, age 24, also of Marshalltown, moments before the locomotive entered the crossing.

The Dodge Dart spun 180 degrees and came to rest crossways on the railroad tracks moments prior to being struck by the westbound locomotive. The 2007 GMC Sierra cleared the crossing, coming to rest on the west shoulder south of the crossing. Upon impact of the westbound locomotive, the driver of the 2016 Dodge Dart jumped from the vehicle while it was being pushed westbound down the tracks, sustaining non-life-threatening injuries. The 2016 Dodge Dart came to final rest against the locomotive approximately eight train car lengths west of the crossing.

During the removal of the 2016 Dodge Dart from the locomotive and railroad tracks, a first responder vehicle attempting to transport extrication tools to the scene became stuck and disabled on the tracks, delaying the opening of the three affected crossings. At approximately 7:10 p.m., the locomotive was able to move, and the three crossings were opened for crossing traffic.

The driver of the 2016 Dodge Dart was transported to Mercy One Newton Medical Center, and the driver of the 2007 GMC Sierra was uninjured and declined medical attention. Ramos-Lucas has been charged with failing to stop in an assured clear distance. The Newton Fire Department, Newton Police Department, Iowa State Patrol, Jasper County Emergency Management, Iowa Interstate Railroad, and Barney’s Wrecker and Crane assisted the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office during the course of events.