A truck driver survived a collision wit a train after getting stuck on railroad tracks in Norcross, Georgia, earlier this week.
The cell phone footage captured by a witnesses, shows the driver, Eli Mercado, leaping out of the truck moments before its struck by the train.
Mercado told police that he followed his GPS onto the Holcomb Bridge Road crossing and didn’t notice the “no trucks” sign until he was already stuck.
Train hit tractor trailer at Holcomb Br/ S Peachtree St crossing in Norcross. pic.twitter.com/LeKFU4cW1r
— Jason Durden (@JasonDurdenWSB) November 15, 2016
He says he stayed in the truck, trying to get it off the tracks, until the last second. “So my wife jumps out of the truck. She’s screaming at me to get out of the truck. I’m just trying to save the truck.”
Mercado said he broke down in tears when he realized he was safe.
“The only thing I could do was ball up and cry like a little baby, you know, because that’s the way I pay my bills. That’s the way I take care of my kids, my family.” he said.
City officials say there have been several close calls at the crossing before, despite the ‘No Trucks’ sign. They are currently working on a plan to make the crossing safer.
