Truck Driver At Fault In Rosedale Train Explosion; Charges Filed
ROSEDALE, Md. (WJZ) -- Driver error. The truck driver who collided with a CSX train before it exploded in Rosedale last month is hit with charges.
Police say his actions caused the massive derailment that affected thousands.
Meghan McCorkell has more on the charges filed, one month later.
Police say John Alban Jr. failed to stop, look and listen before crossing those railroad tracks, causing the crash.
In dramatic surveillance footage, you can see John Alban Jr. drive his truck over the railroad crossing.
Without stopping, he's hit by a CSX train. Minutes later, an explosion felt for miles.
Now Baltimore County Police have charged Alban with seven misdemeanors, including failure to stop at a railroad crossing, failure to wear a seat belt and negligent driving.
"These are citations that he can pay upfront. There's a fine attached to the violations or he could contest the charges in court," said Elise Armacost, Baltimore County Police.
CSX has already filed a quarter million dollar lawsuit against Alban.
It's nearly a month after the explosion, and damage is still evident all over the Rosedale area.
"I have a neighbor who has a lot more damage than a little bit of windows blown out," said Noelle Clark, neighbor.
Wall damage is clearly visible on a nearby house. Many windows and doors are still boarded up.
"We have cracks on all the cinder block in all four corners. The walls are all cracked," said Donna Digman, home damaged.
Donna Digman had to call in a structural engineer to look at a back building. The explosion cracked the roof joists throughout the structure, leaving it susceptible to collapse.
And that isn't her only problem.
"Every room in the house has busted sheet rock. My kitchen counters, the kitchen cabinets actually pulled a quarter inch away from the walls," she said.
She and her neighbors are hoping repairs come soon so they can put this headache behind them.
Police say drugs and alcohol were not a factor in the crash. They hope to release the full investigation report Friday.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the derailment.
John Alban Jr. has not commented on the derailment.
