The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a vehicle-train accident that occurred Saturday morning.
At about 1:15 a.m., DCSO deputies were dispatched to County Road 23 and County Road S — about one mile north of Fremont — for a vehicle fire that was on the BNSF railroad tracks.
Upon arrival, deputies located a Chevrolet Suburban engulfed in flames. The vehicle was northbound on County Road 23 when it struck a passing train. The train continued to travel northeast for approximately five miles, coming to a stop near Nickerson.
The Burlington Northern train was struck on the 30th rail car of a 100-car train, causing two cars to derail. The derailment caused additional damage to the tracks from County Road 23 to Highway 91.
The driver, Jonathan C. Rains, 33, of Nickerson was transported by Life Net to an Omaha area hospital in critical condition.
Highway 91 at Nickerson was closed for about nine hours.
The DCSO was assisted by the Fremont Police Department, Fremont Fire and Rescue, Fremont Rural Fire Department, and Life Net.
