NEWARK, Del. -
Jonathan Fox can't shake the image from his mind. From the window of his job at Wonderland, he saw a violent crash involving a UPS tractor-trailer and a CSX freight train.
"It just all happened in a split second, you know, smash! It freaked me out a little bit," Fox said.
Debris scattered everywhere, including the now mangled hood of the truck.
Fox's hands were still trembling hours after witnessing the wreck.
"It's horrible! I pray he's going to be all right," he said.
And it was all captured on video that is unbelievable. We have to warn you, this may be hard to watch. It clearly shows what happened at that problem rail crossing.
Newark police identified the truck driver as Joseph Mounts. The impact was so strong that he had to be cut out of the cab. He was taken to Christiana Hospital in critical condition with head and internal injuries.
Police say the 42-year-old Felton, Del., man had just finished a delivery at the Deer Park Tavern.
As he tried to leave, you can see on surveillance video the truck roll back slightly.
But when the crossing arms started coming down, Mounts hit the gas, trying to get across the tracks, then stopped right before the train plowed into him.
Unfortunately residents say accidents like Friday afternoon's are all too common at the West Main St. and Elkton train crossing.
Back in February, a woman ditched her car before it was hit by a train.
In the past six years, the owner of Wonderland says he's seen at least 12 wrecks.
Wyeth Schiffelbein has seen his share while living nearby, saying, "We'd sit on the porch and maybe once every couple of months something horrific would happen."
Mounts was still reported to be in critical condition late Friday night.
