Backhoe driver killed in collision with train

Jasper News
Jasper, Hamilton county, Florida
Published January 18th, 2007

Brian Keith Coleman, 34, of Jasper, died after the backhoe he was driving was struck by a train about 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 15, according to a Florida Highway Patrol press release.
Coleman was driving a 2006 John Deere backhoe north on SE Farm Road in Lee, when he attempted to cross a railroad track in front of a train traveling west, according to the release.
The front of the train collided with the right side of the backhoe, causing Coleman to be ejected from the backhoe, the release states. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Madison County EMS.

The train continued traveling west approximately 1,722 feet before coming to a complete stop, according to the report. The driver of the train, Donald Lee Williams Jr., 37, of St. Augustine, and a passenger, Bennett Cornelius Odams, 47, of Jacksonville, were not injured, the release states. There was approximately $5,000 damage to the GE locomotive.
There was approximately $10,000 damage to the backhoe, according to the release.
No charges have been filed pending an investigation.

Funeral services for Brian Keith Coleman will be held at 2 p.m. today at New Hope Baptist Church on SR 6 in Jennings.

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