News & Reviews News Wire Indiana man arrested following CN derailment

Indiana man arrested following CN derailment

By Trains Staff | July 24, 2023

| Last updated on February 4, 2024


Nine railcars involved after train strikes unoccupied vehicle

Email Newsletter

Get the newest photos, videos, stories, and more from Trains.com brands. Sign-up for email today!

Canadian National logoVAPARAISO, Ind. — A 39-year-old Indiana man has been arrested on charges related to the derailment of a Canadian National train in Valparaiso early Saturday, WBBM-TV reports.

James Rockhill, of Kouts, Ind., was being held at the Porter County Jail on charges of railroad mischief, criminal recklessness, and leaving the scene of a crash. He was arrested following investigation into a collision between the CN train and an unoccupied vehicle at the Franklin Street crossing in Valparaiso that was reported shortly before 5 a.m. on Saturday.

The Times of Northwest Indiana reports no injuries resulted, but nine empty auto racks derailed. The derailment originally closed six grade crossings. The last, at Froberg Road, was expected to be reopened Sunday.

3 thoughts on “Indiana man arrested following CN derailment

  1. Valpo is also on the CN, former GTW, and NS, former Nickel Plate. The former B&O passes north of town.

  2. Valparaiso is on the former PRR Main Line Pittsburgh to Chicago. It was the outer terminal for PRR’s commuter trains (2 trains) nicknamed Valpo Dummies. Amtrak briefly operated the commuter trains because the Congressman was on the Committee.

You must login to submit a comment