JASPER COUNTY – A Marshalltown man was injured in a car versus train accident in Jasper County on Monday.

According to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, Jasper County Communications received a 911 call regarding the accident, which occurred at the Highway T12 N railroad crossing near N 39th Ave E, northeast of Newton. Due to the locomotive measuring at 6800 feet, the crossings at Highway T12 N, Iris Ave, and Iowa St were all impacted for a significant amount of time.

Authorities say that an investigation determined that a 2016 Dodge Dart driven by 29-year-old George Makulu of Marshalltown was traveling southbound and stopped at the flashing light crossing when his vehicle was struck from the rear by a 2007 GMC Sierra driven by 24-year-old Eric Ramos-Lucas of Marshalltown, moments before the train entered the crossing. The Dart spun 180 degrees and came to rest crossways on the railroad tracks before it was struck by the westbound train.

The Sierra cleared the crossing, coming to rest on the west shoulder south of the crossing. Upon impact with the locomotive, Makulu jumped from his vehicle while it was being pushed westbound down the tracks, sustaining non-life-threatening injuries. The Dart eventually came to rest against the train, roughly 8 train car lengths west of the crossing.

Makulu was transported to MercyOne Newton Medical Center for treatment of his injuries, while Ramos-Lucas was uninjured and declined medical attention. Ramos-Lucas was charged with Failing to Stop in Assured Clear Distance.

The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Newton Fire Department, the Newton Police Department, the Iowa State Patrol, Jasper County Emergency Management, Iowa Interstate Railroad, and Barney’s Wrecker and Crane during this incident.

This accident remains under investigation.