Valparaiso, IN – Authorities have arrested James Rockhill, 39, from Kouts, in connection with a train derailment early Saturday that involved an unoccupied vehicle being struck by an eastbound train. The crash caused multiple train cars to derail near the Canadian National Railways (CN) crossing on Franklin Street.
Valparaiso Police Department launched a swift and thorough investigation to determine the cause of the accident. As a result of their efforts, James Rockhill was taken into custody and is currently being held at the Porter County Jail.
Rockhill is now facing serious charges, including railroad mischief, criminal recklessness, and leaving the scene of a crash. His arrest sheds new light on the circumstances that led to the unoccupied vehicle being on the tracks at the time of the collision.
Although the incident caused significant disruptions, thankfully, no injuries were reported.
“We thank the emergency crews for their prompt attention to this accident. Public safety was our first priority and we acted quickly to assure there were no injuries or hazards to the public,” said Mayor Matt Murphy. “We appreciate the patience of motorists as CN completes clean-up efforts.”
CN authorities confirmed that there were no hazardous materials involved, ensuring the safety of the public. The prompt response of emergency crews and the cooperation of the Valparaiso community during the cleanup efforts were instrumental in mitigating further risks and damage.
Authorities continue to urge anyone with additional information related to the incident to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.
