Driver arrested following train derailment near Montesano

MONTESANO — Authorities say an 18-year-old man driving a pickup truck parked on train tracks just east of Montesano, causing a freight train to make an emergency stop that derailed some rail cars.

KBKW-AM in Aberdeen reports that no injuries were reported Monday night. Several empty rail cars came off the tracks but remained upright.

Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office says an Aberdeen man was booked into Grays Harbor County Jail for investigation of malicious injury to rail property and other charges. His 19-year-old Montesano passenger is expected to be booked into jail Tuesday.

A train conductor told investigators he saw the pickup truck stop on the railroad tracks, drive off and later stop on the tracks again as the train approached.

Crews with Puget Sound and Pacific Railroad were inspecting the tracks Tuesday.

Authorities also received complaints of a red truck driving recklessly, knocking over garbage cans and damaging mailboxes.

Deputy Chief Steve Shumate says they believe it was “two young kids doing stupid stuff.”