Aberdeen man identified in fatal truck-train crash west of Aberdeen

ABERDEEN, S.D. (Press Release) – An Aberdeen man has been identified as the person who died Friday afternoon in a truck-train crash west of Aberdeen.

A 2016 Mack semi-truck and trailer, loaded with soybeans, was northbound on 379th Avenue when it crossed the public train crossing just north of U.S. Highway 12. The truck and trailer collided with an eastbound BNSF train consisting of two locomotives and a box car.

Thomas Ochsner, the 66-year-old truck driver, had to be extricated from the truck and taken by ambulance to an Aberdeen hospital. He later died there as a result of his injuries.

All three members of the train crew were not injured.

South Dakota Highway Patrol continues to investigate the crash. All information is only preliminary at this time.

The Highway Patrol is part of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.