Hudsonville man injured after SUV struck by train in Zeeland Township

A Hudsonville man suffered minor injuries Tuesday after an eastbound train struck his SUV in Zeeland Township.

Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded at about 4:40 p.m. July 21 to the 6000 block of Chicago Drive for a reported collision involving a train and an SUV.

The preliminary investigation found that the man was leaving a private drive near the railroad tracks when the train struck his SUV as it crossed the tracks.

The driver was treated at the scene for minor injuries. The two engineers aboard the train were not injured.

The train was damaged but remained operational, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff’s Office continue to investigate the collision.

Why does a railroad crossing’s public or private status matter?

Federal train horn rules distinguish between public and private crossings. Public crossings are roadways under the jurisdiction of and maintained by a public authority. Private crossings are on privately owned roadways, often at farms or industrial sites, and are intended for owners, licensees and invitees.

Under 49 CFR 222.21, locomotives generally must begin sounding the horn 15 to 20 seconds before entering a public crossing. By contrast, 49 CFR 222.25 does not require routine horn sounding at private crossings, although requirements under state law and quiet zone provisions may apply.

A collision alone does not establish who was legally responsible.