Troy driver killed in train crash

A train collided with a truck caught on the tracks Saturday, killing a man in Troy.

Authorities are unsure what Donald Hawkins, 66, was doing in the moments before the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) train slammed into his truck near the crossing on Hunts Mill Road. A review of the incident suggests Hawkins’ pickup had driven off the east edge of the crossing.

Troy Police Chief Bob McLeod, the first responder to the incident, estimated he arrived three minutes after the 9:12 p.m. crash.

“The train had stopped, and the truck was about 70 feet from the crossing, fully engulfed,” McLeod said. “Those trains go about 45 mph. There was no chance to assist with the truck, so I secured the scene for the county and Highway Patrol.”

Montana Highway Patrol is investigating the incident. BNSF is also conducting an investigation. Little is known about what led up to the crash.

“I told them to conduct a real thorough investigation,” McLeod said. “His family deserves answers. There are a lot of unknowns: Where was he coming from, how long was he on the tracks, was he waiting for help and just dozed off?”

Hawkins lived on Hunts Mill Road on the north side of the tracks and was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the collision.

A family friend still gathering information answered a call to his house Monday. The person said Hawkins’ wife, Gwen, was out of town Friday and recently returned to gather information.

The Troy Volunteer Fire Department extinguished the truck fire.