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Train slams semi near Rice; driver critically injured

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Sep 28, 2011 at 10:53 am

RICE, Minn. (KNSI) - A Little Falls truck driver remained in critical condition Wednesday after his semi was slammed by a train Tuesday evening near Rice, according to Benton County sheriff's officials.

Richard Dalen, 65, was driving the Schlichting Farms semi when it was hit by a Burlington Northern train at the 35th Avenue Northwest train crossing near Highway 10 around 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, Benton County Sheriff Brad Bennett said.

Dalen was thrown from the truck and taken to St. Cloud Hospital, where he was treated for serious injuries.

Bennett said witnesses reported the truck was driving southwest on the field approach road that crosses the tracks at 35th Ave. NW. Dalen did stop at a stop sign just in front of the tracks, but the vehicle pulled ahead to cross the tracks into the path of the train.

No one on board the train was injured. The crash remained under investigation.