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'Pieces of car and glass:' Man killed when car and train collide in Johnston County

The crash happened on Raleigh Road between U.S. Highway 301 and Woodall Road in Benson.

Posted Updated

By
Eric Miller
, WRAL multimedia journalist
BENSON, N.C. — A Benson man died in a Friday crash involving a train and car in Johnston County. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol identified the man as 27-year-old Christopher Ray Valdez.

The crash happened on Raleigh Road between U.S. Highway 301 and Woodall Road in Benson.

State Highway Patrol said a train was going north and the crossing guard was down when a driver went through the crossing guard.

"I just saw glass flying over the nose of the [train's] engine, felt the bang," radio traffic from the crash said.

One killed in crash between car and train in Johnston County

Radio traffic showed calls getting more workers as workers inspected the damage.

"So you don't know if it was occupied, I'm assuming," someone said.

"I believe so," someone replied. "Conductor seemed to think it was pretty bad."

Troopers said the area is not a frequent spot for crashes.

"There's pieces of car and glass and everything up there," radio traffic reports.

"The car's completely destroyed."

 The crash happened on Raleigh Road between U.S. Highway 301 and Woodall Road in Benson. 

It was unclear why Valdez didn't stop for the crossing guard.

"Crossing guard was working as far as we could tell," radio traffic said.

State Road 1330 was closed in both directions for several hours as crews cleaned up the crash. CSX workers had to replace the crossing bar that Valdez's car slammed through it.

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