Train traffic was blocked well into the night after a gravel truck’s brakes failed, sending it crashing into rail lines near Washougal on Thursday afternoon.
The crash was reported around 3:30 p.m., BNSF spokesman Gus Melonas said.
The driver was unable to stop after the brakes failed, Melonas said, sending the truck and trailer onto the tracks at a private crossing about a mile east of Washougal.
The driver suffered non-life threatening injuries, Melonas said, and he was taken to a hospital.
The crash damaged the rails, Melonas said, leading the rail company to shut down the tracks temporariliy.
Crews were able to get the truck off the rail right of way by around 7 p.m., but track crews had to come out to cut away and replace damaged rails.
Roughly 40 trains use the route daily, Melonas said, and at least 10 trains were delayed. He said that evening the tracks were expected to be repaired and ready for traffic by before midnight Thursday.
Melonas said BNSF police were investigating what happened.
